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‘Hungary Is a Fascinating Region Trying to Stand Up For Its Identity’ – Interview with Christopher Ball, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Connecticut
American economist and businessman Christopher Ball, came to Budapest in 1994 after he was offered the chance to spend a year as an assistant economist in Hungary. After arriving, he was told that the scholarship he was offered ceased to exist. Although he had no job, he decided to stay in Hungary, as he fell in love with this ‘fascinating’ region and also perhaps more importantly, with a Szekler girl who later became his wife. He started working as the Program Director of the Atlantic Council in the 90s. Since then his whole life has been about Hungary. As the Director of the Central European Institute at Quinnipiac University, and President of CEENET, a private organization promoting scientific, economic, and cultural relations between the United States and Central Europe, he believes Americans and Hungarians could learn a lot from each other. In recognition for his commitment to the country for more than two decades, the Hungarian government has appointed him honorary consul, while recently he received the ‘Friend of Hungary’ award by the Friends of Hungary Foundation, also counting him among the honorary ambassadors of Hungary.
2019-07-05 More -
“I felt an overwhelming nostalgia for Hungary, which gave me the strength to work for Hungarians in Venezuela” – Interview with a Three-Generation Scout Family
How do three different generations experience the severe political and economic crisis in Venezuela? How can the Hungarian Scout Association help, and how can the scouts even exist after years of Hungarians constantly leaving the country? Judit Kristóffy Nyisztor fled to Venezuela from the Soviet occupation of Hungary with her parents at the age of 10 – she says that now they experience almost the same uncertainty that she did as a child. Her daughter was born in Venezuela, while her granddaughter is a true Venezuelan-Hungarian girl who not only represents, but also educates the new generation of Hungarian scouts in the South American country. Hungary Today’s sister site, Ungarn Heute had the opportunity to talk to the 3-generation scout family, Judit Kristóffy Nyisztor (JKNY), her daughter, Ildikó Nyisztor (INY) and granddaughter, Zsófia Mirabal (ZSM) at the annual Friends of Hungary Conference, where the Hungarian Scout Association received the ‘Friend of Hungary‘ Award.
2019-07-05 More -
Opera Star & Friends of Hungary Founder Éva Marton Receives Prestigious Kennedy Gold Medal
Last Tuesday, together with other famed Hungarian artists, opera star Éva Marton received this year’s Gold Medal in the Arts of the renowned Kennedy Center.
2019-07-03 More -
A Life on Guard- Interview with Jolán Ballók, Doctor of an Isolated Transylvanian Hungarian Village
For nearly half a century, Jolán Ballók has worked tirelessly as the doctor and pillar of a small, isolated Hungarian-majority township in Transylvania. Despite living a difficult life, Ballók, member of the Friends of Hungary Community, still always manages to find beauty in her circumstances. Her refreshing outlook is heavily reflected in her stories and anecdotes.
2019-05-31 More -
President of Danube Institute John O’Sullivan Awarded with Hungarian Order of Merit
Danube Institute President John O’Sullivan was awarded the prestigious Hungarian Order of Merit earlier on Tuesday. O’Sullivan is a British conservative political commentator and journalist. He served as the senior policy writer and speechwriter for PM Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.
2019-02-13 More -
I Dance Hungary – Website with Folk Dance Tutorials for Non-Hungarian Speakers Launched
I Dance Hungary, the first online platform in the world dedicated to the non-Hungarian speakers of the dance house movement, started today under the patronage of the Friends of Hungary Foundation, publisher of Hungary Today and Ungarn Heute. The platform uses tutorials to help dance-lovers learn the basics of folk dance without needing to know Hungarian.
2019-02-01 More -
Call for Applications: 2019 Summer Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship
Applications are now open for the 2019 Summer Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship – a full scholarship for students from Hungary to participate in The Fund for American Studies summer programs in Washington DC. The two month summer program includes an internship placement in Washington DC, academic credit from George Mason University, housing in the heart of DC on George Washington University’s campus, a variety of guest lectures and briefings, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking. The scholarship covers full tuition and a living stipend for the duration of the program. The application deadline for Hungarian students is January 15, 2019.
2018-12-17 More -
Visit at the Kodály Conservatory in Athens
Managing director of the Friends of Hungary Foundation, Orsolya Karlócai, paid a visit to the Kodály Conservatory – Greek Kodály Institute in Athens. Michalis Patseas, founder and director of the conservatory, member of the Friends of Hungary Community, presented the operation and the most important milestones in the history of the institution.
2018-12-04 More -
Visszidensek 2. - Baron Antal Lipthay’s introductory remarks at the “Remigrates” Part 2 book-opening
Following the success of the first volume of his book ‘Remigrates’ (Visszidensek), Hungarian journalist Péter Gyuricza has interviewed another twelve Hungarian people who decided to return home despite leaving the country decades ago. ‘Remigrates’ presents their life and work both abroad and at home. One of the "Visszidensek", baron Antal Lipthay, presented the following speech on the book-opening.
2018-12-03 More -
Members of Friends of Hungary Awarded by Bethlen Foundation
Each year, the Bethlen Foundation awards outstanding contributors to Hungarian society. This year, two members of the Friends of Hungary Foundation, were among the recipients.
2018-11-22 More