Stories about Hungary from August, 2010
Hungary: More on Béla Biszku's Case
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Béla Biszku's case (also covered by GV's Marietta Le here and here).
Hungary: St. Stephen
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the history of the cult of St. Stephen, the first king of the Hungarians, who was canonized on Aug. 20, 1083.
Hungary: Foreign Media on Orbán's Government
Hungarian Spectrum reviews foreign media coverage of Viktor Orbán's government – here, here, and here.
Hungary: Skateboarding priest gets adepts
Videos of Catholic priests doing good don't usually go viral, but this one featuring a Hungarian priest has made it's way around the world. What is he doing different? He's skateboarding! Via neatorama.
France: Discrimination Against Roma People, Labeled as “Thieves”
While the expulsions of Roma people are in full throttle with the silent approbation of the majority of the public opinion, some doubts start to creep in about the fairness of the measures. Some bloggers express their outrage at the measures that target the most vulnerable and the libel of an entire community as "thieves".
Hungary: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Crime
Hungarian Spectrum posts an update on the investigation into a series attacks on and murders of Gypsies that took place over a year ago, and writes about several recent murders and the discussion of homosexuality-related issues that they have generated online.
Hungary: Budapest's Subway
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Budapest's subway and the politics of its long-term construction: “The Budapest metro is very old, yet still unfinished.”
Hungary: Proposed Media Law Threatens Freedom of Expression
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the proposed new media law and wonders whether PM Viktor Orbán “doesn't understand democracy and has no idea of the meaning of the freedom of expression” – “or perhaps he understands them all too well and simply doesn't want them for Hungary.”
Hungary: The New President
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the inauguration of Hungary's new president, Pal Schmitt; about Albert Wass, a Transylvanian-Hungarian author whose work Schmitt quoted in his inaugural speech; and about Schmitt's first few days in office: “Since his inauguration the not too sympathetic Hungarian public has been watching Schmitt's every move.”
Hungary: A Controversial Interview With Former Communist Leader
Marietta Le follows the public discussion of Hungary's pre-1989 past, inspired by a documentary about Béla Biszku, who served as the country's Interior Minister from 1957 to 1961 and was in charge of the retributions against those who participated in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
