ceres country profile - hungary

7/30/2019 CERES Country Profile - Hungary

1/15

1

Country in a Box:

Republic of HungaryMagyar Kztrsasg

The Budapest Parliament

A Teachers Guide

Compiled by the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European StudiesEdmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown Universityhttp://ceres.georgetown.edu
http://www.ceres.georgetown.edu/http://www.ceres.georgetown.edu/


2/15


3/15

3

Hungary: Facts at a Glance_______Text and map taken directly from Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook:Hungary. Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hu.html

Country Name:Hungary

Capital:Budapest

Background: Hungary became aChristian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and formany centuries served as a bulwarkagainst Ottoman Turkish expansion inEurope. The kingdom eventually

became part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsedduring World War I. The country fellunder Communist rule following WorldWar II. In 1956, a revolt and anannounced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive militaryintervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary beganliberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held itsfirst multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in1999 and the EU five years later.

Location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Area: Total: 93,028 sq kmCountry comparison to the world:110Land: 89,608 sq kmWater: 3,420 sq km

Area - Comparative: Slightly smaller than Indiana

Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border.

Elevation extremes:Lowest point: Tisza River 78 mHighest point: Kekes 1,014 m

Natural Resources: Bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=123#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=123#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=123#lh


4/15

4

Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,and green; the flag dates to the nationalmovement of the 18th and 19th centuries, andfuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat ofarms with the revolutionary tricolor form of theFrench flag; folklore attributes virtues to thecolors: red for strength, white for faithfulness, andgreen for hope; alternatively, the red is seen asbeing for the blood spilled in defense of the land,white for freedom, and green for the pasturelandsthat make upso much of the country.

Environment - Current Issues: The upgrading of Hungary's standards in wastemanagement, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirementswill require large investments

Population: 9,976,062 (July 2011 est.); Country comparison to the world: 84

Urbanization: Urban population: 68% of total population (2010)

Life Expectancy at Birth: Total population: 74.79 yearsCountry comparison to the world:92Male: 71.04 yearsFemale: 78.76 years (2011 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census)

Religions: Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%,other Christian 1%, other or unspecified11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census)

Education Expenditures:5.2% of GDP(2007); Country comparison to the world:

52

Government Type: ParliamentaryDemocracy

Independence: 16 November 1918(republic proclaimed); notable earlierdates: 25 December 1000 (crowning of KingSTEPHEN I, traditional founding date); 30March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dualmonarchy established)

Legal System: Civil legal system influencedby the German model

Executive Branch: Chief of state: President Jnos der (since 6 May 2012); Head ofgovernment: Prime Minister Viktor Orban (since 6 June 2014, second term)

Legislative Branch: Unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; memberselected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation for four-year)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=86#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=86#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2206rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=74#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2206rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=74#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=86#lh


5/15


6/15

6

GDP - Per Capita (PPP): $12,560 (2012.); Country comparison to the world:64

GDP - Composition by Sector: Agriculture: 2.4%; Industry: 37%; Services: 60.5% (2010est.)

Labor Force: 4.23 million (2010); Country comparison to the world: 86

Agriculture - Products: Wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle,poultry, dairy products.

Industries: Mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles,chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), and motor vehicles

Current Account Balance: $2.692 billion (2010 est.) Country comparison to the world:44

Exports - Commodities: Machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%,food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2009 est.)

Exports - Partners: Germany 25.6%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4.2%, Romania 6.2%, Slovakia 6.1%,France 4.8%, Austria 6.0% (2012 est.)

Imports - Partners: Germany 25.1%, Russia 8.8%, China 7.4%, Austria 7.1%, Netherlands4.2%, Poland 4.8%, Italy 4.5% (2012 est.)

Debt - External: $202 billion (31 December 2012est.);

Exchange Rates: Forints (HUF) per US dollar - 247. 69 (2014)

Military Service Age and Obligation:18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; noconscription; 6-month service obligation

Military expenditures:0.9% of GDP (2013)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=70#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=70#lhhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html?countryName=Hungary&countryCode=hu&regionCode=eur&rank=44#huhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html?countryName=Hungary&countryCode=hu&regionCode=eur&rank=44#huhttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Lithuania&countryCode=lh&regionCode=eur&rank=70#lh


7/15

7

Warrior with captive, courtesy of

Norman Finkelshteyn

Origins:Gyula Lszl, however,Hungarys creation can be dated to 670,

with the arrival of an earlier wave ofconquerors, the LateAvars, anethnically mixed confederation ofTurkic speakers, whom Lszl classifiedas the Early Magyars. In either case, inantiquity parts of Hungarys territory

had formed the ancient Romanprovinces ofPannonia andDacia.When

Rome lost control of Pannonia at theend of the 4th century, it was occupiedfirst by Germanic tribes, then bySlavs.The subsequent history of Dacia isunrecorded. The central plains hadformed the bases for nomadicimmigrant peoples from the steppesnorth of the BlackSeaHuns, Bulgars,Avarssome of whom extended theirdomination farther afield. The Avars,who dominated the basin in the 6ththrough 8th centuries, were crushedabout 800 byCharlemagne. According

to the double conquest theory, many ofthe Late Avars/Early Magyars survivedthe 9th century to mergewith theMagyars who were arriving in the areaunder the leadership of rpd. Edited

History of Hungary_______Edited text taken from "Hungary." Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations. 2007.Encyclopedia.com.(August 26, 2011). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-

2586700272.html

The Magyars (Hungarians) migrated from theplains south and west of the Ural Mountains andinvaded the Carpathian Basin in 896 AD. They wereconverted to Christianity under King Stephen I(r.10011038), who was canonized in 1083. TheMagna Carta of Hungary, known as the Golden Bullof 1222, gave the nation a basic framework ofnational liberties to which every subsequentHungarian monarch had to swear fidelity. Hungarywas invaded at various times during the medievalperiod; like the Mongol invasion in 124142.

Medieval Hungary achieved its greatest heightsunder the Angevin rulers Charles Robert and Louisthe Great (r.134282), when Hungarian minesyielded five times as much gold as those of anyother European state. Sigismund of Luxembourg,king of Hungary, became Holy Roman emperor in1410. During the 15th century, however, Turkisharmies began to threaten Hungary. The Balkanprincipalities to the south and southeast ofHungary did not long delay the advance of theTurks; nor could the victories of Jnos Hunyadiultimately stem the Turkish tide. With the Turkstemporarily at bay, the Hungarian renaissanceflourished during the reign of Matthias Corvinus(145890). Hungary's golden age ended with therout by the Turks at Mohcs in 1526. Turks ruledmost of Hungary for the next two centuries.However Turkish power started to wane with theOttoman defeat at Vienna in 1683, and Habsburgs

became stronger. The Hungarians mounted manyuprisings against the Habsburgs. In 1713, however,the Hungarian Diet accepted the PragmaticSanction, which in guaranteeing the continuingintegrity of Habsburg territories bound Hungary toAustria.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/45428/Avarhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/441428/Pannoniahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/149413/Daciahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/548156/Slavhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/45428/Avarhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/106546/Charlemagnehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/106546/Charlemagnehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/45428/Avarhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/548156/Slavhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/149413/Daciahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/441428/Pannoniahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/45428/Avar


8/15

8

Matthias Corvinus (1443?-1490):King ofHungary (1458-90) andBohemia (1478-

90), second son of JohnHunyadi.He waselected king of Hungary on the death ofLadislaus V . Holy Roman EmperorFrederick III sought to contest the electionbut recognized him in 1462. Matthias won areputation as a crusader against theOttomans. After fighting two wars (1477,1479) against Frederick III,Matthias began(1482) a third campaign. He tookVienna(1485) and conqueredStyria,Carinthia, andCarniola, but his conquests were lost againafter his death. His military success waslargely due to the establishment of a

standing army. During his rule Hungaryreached its last flowering before its fall totheOttoman Empire.Herespected thenational institutions but was harsh in hisfiscal policy and in hisadministration ofjustice. A trueRenaissance ruler, heprotected learning and science. His libraryat Buda, the Corvina, was one of the finestinEurope.He was succeeded in Hungary byLadislaus II of Bohemia, who ruled asUladislaus II of Hungary. Text taken fromMatthias Corvinus. The ColumbiaEncyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008.

Encyclopedia.com. (August 29, 2011).http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.html

During the first half of the 19th century, Hungaryexperienced an upsurge of nationalism, accompaniedby a burst of literary creativity. The inability of a liberalreform movement to establish a constitutionalmonarchy led to the revolt of 1848 which established a

short-lived Hungarian republic. Although Hungarianautonomy was abolished as a result of intervention byAustrian and Russian armies, Austria gave in to Magyarnational aspirations. The Compromise of 1867established a dual monarchy of Austria and Hungaryand permitted a degree of self-government for theMagyars.After World War I, the dual monarchy collapsed, and ademocratic republic was established. This wassupplanted in March 1919 by a Communist regime butRomanian troops invaded Hungary and helped

suppress it. The Treaty of Trianon in 1920 formallyfreed the non-Magyar nationalities from Hungarianrule but also left significant numbers of Magyars inRomania and elsewhere beyond Hungary's borders.The fundamental policy of interwar Hungary was torecover the "lost" territories, and in the hope ofachieving that end, Hungary formed alliances with theAxis powers during World War II. Soviet troopsinvaded the country in April 1945.

At the end of WWII, under the terms of the peace treaty

of 1947, Hungary was forced to give up all territoriesacquired after 1937. The Hungarian Workers(Communist) Party seized power in 1948 and adopteda constitution (on the Soviet model) in 1949.Hungarian foreign trade was oriented toward theSoviet bloc, industry was nationalized and greatlyexpanded, and collectivization of land was pressed.Resentment of continued Soviet influence overHungarian affairs was one element in the popularuprising of October 1956, which was summarily putdown by Soviet military force. From that time on,

Hungary was a firm ally of the USSR. In 1968, the NewEconomic Mechanism(NEM) was introduced in orderto make the economy more competitive and open tomarket forces; reform measures beginning in 1979further encouraged private enterprise. A decade later The NEM was largely abandoned, atSoviet insistence. This compounded the blows suffered by Hungary's economy during theenergy crisis of the late 1970s. By the late 1980s the country owed $18 billion, the highestper capita indebtedness in Europe.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Hungary.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bohemia.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Hunyadi.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Ladisl5Hun.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Fred3HRE.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Vienna.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Styria.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Ottoman_Empire.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Renaissance.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Europe.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Uladis2.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-MatthiaC.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Uladis2.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Europe.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Renaissance.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Ottoman_Empire.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Styria.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Vienna.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Fred3HRE.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Ladisl5Hun.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Hunyadi.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bohemia.aspxhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Hungary.aspx


9/15

9

Jzsef Antall(1932 - 1993):Antall wasthe son of a government official who aidedPolish refugees and Jews duringWorld WarII.Trained as a history teacher, archivist,librarian, and museologist, Antall taught fora time in a Budapest grammar school. Forthe active role he played in theHungarian

uprising of 1956,he was barred fromteaching and publishing. After the ban waslifted in 1963, he published hundreds ofstudies and articles. From 1964 to 1990 heworked at the Semmelweis MedicalHistorical Museum, Library, and Archives,becoming its general director. In the late1980s, as democratic organizations beganto re-emerge in Hungary, he first madecontact with theIndependentSmallholders Party.He then joined theHungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), anewly organized movement that soon

became the most influential independentpolitical force outside the rulingcommunist party.Antall led the MDFdelegation at the talks preparing thecountry for the transition to democracy,and on October 21, 1989, he was votedpresident of the MDF. When the MDF wonthe free parliamentary elections of 1990,Antall became prime minister at the headof a coalition with the Smallholders and theChristian Democrats. His goal was to createa democratic state that acknowledged andincorporated Hungarys distinctive

characteristics. He placed primaryimportance on political stability, the revivalof the historical continuity that thecommunist era had interrupted, theimprovement of relations with Hungariansliving outside Hungary, and party unity. In1990 he was awarded theRobert SchumanPrize for his work in promoting Europeanunity. Text taken from(http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/26945/Jozsef-Antall)

This indebtedness was the primary engine of politicalchange. The necessity of introducing fiscal austeritywas "sweetened" by the appointment of reform-minded Karly Grosz as prime minister in 1987. Soon,faced with continued high inflation, the government

gave control of the party to Grosz. In 1989 Grosz andhis supporters went even further, changing the party'sname to Hungarian Socialist Party, and dismantlingtheir nation's section of the Iron Curtain.

In 1990, the first major free election was held in morethan four decades. No party gained an absolutemajority of seats, so a coalition government wasformed, composed of the Democratic Forum,Smallholders' Party, and Christian Democrats, withForum leader Jozsef Antall as prime minister. Arpad

Goncz, of the Free Democrats, was selected aspresident. Under Antall, Hungary pursued a vigorousprogram of economic transformation, with the goal oftransferring 3035% of state assets to private controlby the end of 1993. Hungary's liberal investment lawsand comparatively well-developed industrialinfrastructure permitted the nation to become an earlyleader in attracting Western investors.

On 8 January 1994 Hungary formally accepted theoffer of a compromise on NATO membership. The offer

involved a new defense partnership between EasternEurope and NATO. By July 1997, NATO agreed to grantHungary full membership in the organization in 1999.In order to help them qualify to join NATO and the EU,Hungary and Romania signed a treaty on 16September 1996 ending a centuries-old disputebetween the two neighbors. The agreement ended fiveyears of negotiations over the status of Romania's 1.6million ethnic Hungarians. On 12 March 1999,Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic wereformally admitted to NATO, becoming the first former

Warsaw Pact nations to join the alliance.

In 1997 Hungary was invited to begin negotiationsleading to membership in the European Union. It wasformally invited to join the body in 2002 at the EUsummit in Copenhagen. It was accepted as a fullmember on 1 January 2004.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-IIhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-IIhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary/34819/The-Revolution-of-1956#toc34819http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary/34819/The-Revolution-of-1956#toc34819http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285120/Independent-Smallholders-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285120/Independent-Smallholders-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285120/Independent-Smallholders-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276668/Hungarian-Democratic-Forumhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/129223/Communist-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528429/Robert-Schumanhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528429/Robert-Schumanhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/129223/Communist-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276668/Hungarian-Democratic-Forumhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285120/Independent-Smallholders-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285120/Independent-Smallholders-Partyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary/34819/The-Revolution-of-1956#toc34819http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary/34819/The-Revolution-of-1956#toc34819http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-IIhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-II


10/15

10

Timeline of Major Events in Hungarian History_______Text taken directly from BBC News. Timeline: Hungary. Available at:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1054642.stm

9th century- Magyars under Prince Arpad settle Danube plain.

1000 - Stephen I, recognized by Pope as first Christian king of Hungary.

1222 - King Andrew II issues the Golden Bull, a constitutional document limiting the king'spower and enshrining rights of the nobility.

1241-1242- Mongol invasion devastates large parts of Hungary.

1526- Ottoman Turks defeat Hungarians at Mohacs, establishing control over the country.

1699- Austrian Habsburgs under Leopold I expel Turks

1867- Hungary becomes autonomous partner in Austro-Hungarian Empire

1918-20- Austro-Hungarian Empire is broken up at the end of World War I. Hungarianrepublic is proclaimed following a revolution. Hungary loses large part of territory toCzechoslovakia, Romania, Russia and Yugoslavia.

1939-48- Hungary joins Anti-Comintern Pact of Germany, Japan and Italy. Hungarian Jewsand gypsies are deported to death camps. Soviet forces drive the Germans out of Hungary.Communists consolidate power. Hungary aligns itself with the Soviet Union.

1956- National uprising. Protesters demand the withdrawal of Soviet troops.

1989-91- The 'Iron Curtain' is breached. Communist state in Hungary is dismantled. Sovietforces withdraw from Hungary. The Warsaw Pact is dissolved.

1999- Hungary joins Nato.

2004- Hungary is one of 10 new states to join the EU.

2009 - Hungary and Russia sign deal to build part of the South Stream pipeline acrossHungarian territory.

2010- Jobbik enters Hungarian parliament for first time, winning 47 seats.

2010- Parliament passes law allowing ethnic Hungarians living abroad to apply forHungarian citizenship. Slovakia protests the move, accusing Hungary of revisionism, andthreatens to strip any Slovak who applies for dual nationality of their Slovak citizenship.


11/15

11

Hungarian Gulyas

Bela Bartok

2014Viktor Orban is elected as a prime minister for the second term. The issues suck ascrackdown on foreign funded NGOs occur that raise questions regarding Hungariandemocracy in the EU and US.

Hungarian CultureText taken from

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary

Cuisine

Hungarys most traditional cultural element is its

cuisine. Hungarian food is very rich, andredmeat is frequently used as an ingredient.Goulash(gulys), bean soup with smoked meat, and beefstew are national dishes. The most distinctiveelement of Hungarian cuisine ispaprika,a spicemade from the pods ofchili peppers (Capsicumannuum). Paprika is not native to Hungaryhaving been imported either from Spain, India byway of the Turks, or the Americasbut it is a fixture on most dining tables in Hungary andan important export. Among Hungarys spicy dishes are halszl, a fish soup, and lecs,

made with hot paprika, tomato, and sausage. Homemade spirits, including various fruitbrandies (plinka), are popular. BeforeWorld War II,Hungary was a wine-drinkingcountry, but beer has become increasingly prevalent. Although Hungarians were not quickto accept foreign cuisines, they appeared in Budapest in the 1990s, a sign both of thegrowing influence of the outside world and of the presence of increasing numbers of

foreigners who have settled in HungaryThe Arts

Traditional folk arts either have disappeared or have become mostly commercialized andpolitical attempts in the 1930s, 50s, and 70s to preserve them basically failed. National

high culture emerged at the turn of the 19th century, withliterature taking a central role.The firstHungarian-language newspaper, MagyarHrmond (Hungarian Courier), appeared in 1780

which soon was followed by others.Ferenc Kazinczy,an advocate of Enlightenment ideas, founded a

movement of language reform and promoted literaturethrough his high standard ofliterary criticism.In hisview, literature was a nation-sustaining or even nation-creating force. This newly born literary language wascultivated by most of the contemporary authors,includingMihly Csokonai Vitz in his rococo poetryand the brothersKroly Kisfaludy and SndorKisfaludy in their early Romantic poetry and plays.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/494349/red-meathttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/494349/red-meathttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239976/goulashhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442178/paprikahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/111464/chili-pepperhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-IIhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276684/Hungarian-literaturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276672/Hungarian-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313918/Ferenc-Kazinczyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/343487/literary-criticismhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/145406/Mihaly-Csokonai-Vitezhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/319356/Karoly-Kisfaludyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/319356/Karoly-Kisfaludyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/145406/Mihaly-Csokonai-Vitezhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/343487/literary-criticismhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313918/Ferenc-Kazinczyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276672/Hungarian-languagehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276684/Hungarian-literaturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648813/World-War-IIhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/111464/chili-pepperhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442178/paprikahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239976/goulashhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/494349/red-meathttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/494349/red-meat


12/15

12

Buda Castle

Imre Kertesz

Modern Hungarian drama was born inthe middle of the 19th century, withJzsef Katonas tragedy Bnk bn(1820) andImre Madchs Az embertragdija (1861; The Tragedy of

Man).

The 1930s were witness to theemergence of the populist-urbanistcontroversy and the publication of aseries of major sociographies aboutthe realities of Hungarian peasant life.Following World War II, thenationalist and populist tendencies ofHungarian literature and culture were expurgatedand replaced by politically inspired manifestations ofSocialist Realism.And this appliedequally to literature as to writings in the social sciences such as history. The best of the

poets, writers, historians, and social philosophers were silenced, and the rest were forcedto toe the party line. The most notable among the writers who emerged after 1956 wereAndrs St, Sndor Knydi, Gyrgy Konrd, Pter Ndas, Pter Esterhzy, and Imre

Kertsz (who won theNobel Prize for Literature in 2002). The first two of these wereTransylvanians who wrote great literature based on traditional literary models, while thelatter four were Budapest urbanites who pursued the diverse paths of avant-gardeliterature.

Most of the important achievements in Hungarianvisual arts and music emerged about theturn of the 20th century. The avant-garde paintersTivadar Csontvry-Kosztka andLszlMoholy-Nagy elevated Hungarian painting from traditional Romanticism and French-

inspired Impressionism to greater international significance through path breaking stylisticinnovations. Hungarian music achieved worldwide renown with the composerBla Bartk,an exponent of modern Hungarian music that was rooted in archaic folk traditions. Bartks

activities and compositions were paralleled bythose ofZoltn Kodly andErn Dohnnyi.Kodlyscontributions went beyond the composition ofmusic to the restructuring of Hungarianmusiceducation.His system of music education, theKodly method, is now taught throughout the

world.

Cultural Institutions

Among the most notable of the thousands ofmuseums and cultural centers are the Hungarian

National Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts, and theMuseum of Applied Arts (all in Budapest), plus the Christian Museum in Esztergom, theDri Museum of Debrecen, the Janus Pannonius Museum of Pcs, the Ferenc Mra Museumof Szeged, and the collection of the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma. Government
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313317/Jozsef-Katonahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313317/Jozsef-Katonahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/355557/Imre-Madachhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/355557/Imre-Madachhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276684/Hungarian-literaturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551721/Socialist-Realismhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/416856/Nobel-Prizehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/630806/arthttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1325879/Tivadar-Csontvary-Kosztkahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387685/Laszlo-Moholy-Nagyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387685/Laszlo-Moholy-Nagyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/54394/Bela-Bartokhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/320927/Zoltan-Kodalyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/168055/Ernst-von-Dohnanyihttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/168055/Ernst-von-Dohnanyihttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/399019/music-educationhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/399019/music-educationhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/399019/music-educationhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/399019/music-educationhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/168055/Ernst-von-Dohnanyihttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/320927/Zoltan-Kodalyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/54394/Bela-Bartokhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387685/Laszlo-Moholy-Nagyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387685/Laszlo-Moholy-Nagyhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1325879/Tivadar-Csontvary-Kosztkahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/630806/arthttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/416856/Nobel-Prizehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551721/Socialist-Realismhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276684/Hungarian-literaturehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/355557/Imre-Madachhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/313317/Jozsef-Katona


13/15

13

subsidizing of culture virtually ended with the introduction of a market system in the1990s. The capital city is also regarded for its architectural legacy from various periods,which led to its being, designated a UNESCOWorld Heritage site.

Folklore: The Twin Hunchbacks_______

From:http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=orczy&book=hungarian&story=twin

Once upon a time, in the midst of Fairyland, stood an extensive forest, so large that it wouldtake many days to walk across it. It was an enchanted forest, for all night it was the haunt ofall the little fairies in the neighborhood. There was a lovely glade in this forest, with a largepond in the middle, and tall dark trees around, which was a specially favored spot with allthe fairies and elves of the forest. Three little fairies particularly there were, who used tocome here every morning at sunrise. They were especially fond of a dance they hadinvented, which consisted in holding hands and twirling round, singing all the while,"Humpty Dumpty! Humpty Dumpty!"

One day a little hunchback woodcutter suddenly came upon the lovely glade, and there hesaw the three little fairies dancing in a ring, singing, "Humpty Dumpty!" so merrily, that hejoined in their dance and their song. He amused them so much, that they thought it thegreatest pity in the world that so brisk a little man should be spoilt by having a great humpon his back; so they took some water from the pond and each fairy emptied her tiny vesselon the hunchback, singing, "Go away, ugly hump!" Then they joined hands, and dancedround him till his hunch had quite disappeared. After that he kissed each of the fairies, andran home as fast as he could, singing all the way "Humpty Dumpty!" so glad was he to havegot rid of his ugly hump.

This hunchback had a twin brother just as ugly as he had been himself, and when the nowstraightened little man came in at the cottage door his brother was astonished to see himskipping about without his hunch, and he asked how he had managed to get rid of his uglydeformity. "Oh," said the woodcutter, "I was out chopping sticks very early this morning,when I suddenly saw three fairies before me, singing 'Humpty Dumpty! Humpty Dumpty!'They were tripping it so merrily that the desire seized me to join in their dance, so I boldlytook them by the hand and joined in the ring, singing with them 'Humpty, Dumpty! HumptyDumpty!' They seemed to like this very much, for when they got tired of dancing they tooksome water from the pond, and pouring it over my back, they sang 'Go away, ugly hunch!'and my ugly hunch has gone."

The twin brother was surprised at the strange story he had just heard. He was not onlyjealous of his brother, but most anxious to be as good looking. He therefore thought thebest plan would be to seek out the fairies and get them to be as kind and as useful to him.He therefore started off at a run for the enchanted glade, determined to get rid of his humpas his brother had done; unfortunately he was so afraid of being too late, that he ranhimself quite out of breath by the time he reached the fairies. He could neither sing nordance, and had not sufficient breath left to cut a caper or turn a back somersault; this
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648327/World-Heritage-sitehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/648327/World-Heritage-site


14/15

14

disappointed the little fairies. They all joined hands, taking the little hunchback with them,and began their special dance, singing "Humpty Dumpty! Humpty Dumpty!" but he got soconfused and giddy from turning round, that instead of singing "Humpty Dumpty!" as thelittle fairies did, he would addin his efforts to please them"Humpty Dumpty sat on awall!" and kept on saying "Sat on a wall, sat on a wall!" which so annoyed the fairies, that

when they took the water out of the pond in their little golden cups, and poured it over hisback, instead of singing "Go away, ugly hump!" they sang "Hunch, get twice as big asbefore!" which it did immediately, and was then such a terrible size that it was frightful tolook at, and so heavy that he had to crawl on his hands and knees all the way home.


15/15

15

Select Bibliography of Sources on Hungary

Batory, Agnes. The politics of EU accession: Ideology, party strategy and the European

Union question in Hungary. Manchester; New York: Manchester University Press; NewYork: Palgrave 2008.

Davis, Murray. The literature of post-Communist Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania:A study. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co, c2008.

Fodor, Pal and Geza David. Ottomans, Hungarians, and Habsburgs in Central Europe: Themilitary confines in the era of Ottoman conquest. Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2000.

Ormos, Maria. Hungary in the age of the two World Wars, 1914-1945. New York: ColumbiaUniversity Press, 2007.

Patai, Raphael. The Jews of Hungary: history, culture, psychology. Detroit: Wayne StateUniversity Press, c1996.

Roman, Eric. Austria-Hungary & the successor states: A reference guide from theReneissance to the present. New York: Facts on File, c2003.

Ronatas, Andras. Hungarians and Europe in the early Middle Ages: An introduction to earlyHungarian history. Budapest; New York, NY: Central European University Press; Plymouth:Plymbridge Distributors, 1999.

Schneider, David E. Bartok, Hungary and the renewal of tradition: Case studies in theintersection of modernity and nationality. Berkeley: University of California Press, c2006.

Seleny, Anna. The political economy of state-society relations in Hungary and Poland: Fromcommunism to the European Union. New York; Cambridge university press, 2006.

Simon, Andrew L. Made in Hungary: Hungarian contributions to universal culture. Safetyharbor, FL: Simon Publications, c1998.

Tanner, Marcus. The Raven King: Matthias Corvinus and the fate of his lost library. NewHaven; London: Yale university Press, c2008.

Toth, Istyan Gyorgy. A concise history of Hungary; the history of Hungary from the EarlyMiddle Ages to the present. Budapest: Corvina, c2005.

Vargyas, Lajos. Folk music of the Hungarians. Budapest: Akademiai Kiado, c2005.

ceres country profile - hungary

Documents