Category Archives: Hungary

Where is the center of Europe?

Posted on 2017-08-11 by

Reading the book Schwarze Erde, I became aware of a village in Ukraine that was calculated and named as the geographical center of Europe in 1887: Dilove. “Really?“ I wondered, not because I would begrudge Dilove the distinction, but because I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Maps, Photography, Poland, Travel, Ukraine | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

My favorite quotes from “Journey by Moonlight”

Posted on 2016-09-23 by

One year ago, I introduced a wonderful novel to you: Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb. Because I know that most of you disregard my advice and haven’t read the book, here are some of my favorite quotes: Following a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Hungary, Language | Tagged , | 6 Comments

How Romania got its flag

Posted on 2015-09-27 by

Romanians are really crazy about their flag. The blue-yellow-red banner hangs from every lamppost, in front of every building, in bakeries, doctor’s practices and in liquor stores. Because that is not enough, there is even a public holiday to celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Hungary, Romania | Tagged | 11 Comments

“Journey by Moonlight” by Antal Szerb

Posted on 2015-09-21 by

Despite my best efforts at revealing a lot of personal information about myself on this blog, most people don’t understand me at all. It’s not for lack of trying, they inquire about my life’s story, they spend days talking with me, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Hungary, Italy, Life, Marriage | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Why Eastern Europe cannot accept more Refugees

Posted on 2015-09-06 by

Dear Western Europe, it seems you are in sulk about our unwillingness to accept more any refugees. It hurts us to hurt your feelings, so please allow us to explain things from an Eastern European perspective. We are certain you that … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Estonia, Europe, Human Rights, Hungary, Islam, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Politics, Statistics | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Easily confused (52) Hungarian fences

Posted on 2015-08-12 by

Hungarian fence in 1989: Helping economic migrants who want to buy better cars and bananas – good. Hungarian fence in 2015: Helping genuine refugees from war-ravaged countries who risk their lives to survive – bad. And just because it rhymes: Hungarian dance

Posted in Cold War, History, Human Rights, Hungary, Music, Politics | Tagged | 4 Comments

Hotel Trianon

Posted on 2015-08-12 by

I bet this hotel in Amsterdam doesn’t receive many guests from Hungary. Ok, that one is hard to understand for non-Hungarians or non-historians. Don’t worry about it, or – if you have too much time on your hands – read … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Hungary, Travel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

A Party for Bashar al-Assad

Posted on 2015-07-22 by

Dictator, mass murderer, war criminal. That’s Bashar al-Assad. In a European capital city, a celebration is held in his honor. That’s freedom of speech. Thus observed by me in Budapest in April 2015, on “Heroes’ Square” fittingly, between the Palace of Art and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hungary, Military, Photography, Politics, Syria, Travel | Tagged | 1 Comment

Swastikas to Windmills

Posted on 2015-06-19 by

Are you also fed up with these swastika graffiti? Somebody in Hungary had this idea:

Posted in Hungary | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A cigar a day keeps the doctor away

Posted on 2015-05-10 by

In Budapest, I saw this health warning on a cigar which I bought to reward myself for having run my best result ever in a half marathon: I don’t speak Hungarian, but the picture of an apple indicated to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Hungary, Language | Tagged | 3 Comments