Budapest

Pastor Gábor Iványi, one of Hungary’s best-known religious leaders, stands in his office near a photograph.

This pastor officiated Orbán’s wedding. Now he’s one of his fiercest critics.

Pastor Gábor Iványi is one of Hungary’s best-known religious leaders. He officiated over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s wedding and baptized two of his children. Today, he is one of Orbán’s fiercest critics.

This pastor officiated Orbán’s wedding. Now he’s one of his fiercest critics.
The Great Synagogue of Dohány Street in Budapest, Hungary.

'Nothing Orbán says is by accident': Jewish leaders in Hungary grapple with anti-Semitic tropes in politics

'Nothing Orbán says is by accident': Jewish leaders in Hungary grapple with anti-Semitic tropes in politics
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a panel discussion with a white blurry background.

Orbán portrays himself as a ‘defender of Christianity.’ Critics aren’t so sure.

Orbán portrays himself as a ‘defender of Christianity.’ Critics aren’t so sure.
Roma radio presenter Szandi Minzari and co-host Melanie Nagy are both divorced, single mothers who speak about taboo issues in Hungary's Roma community.

A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary

A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is shown wearing a blue suit and orange tie while speaking at a podium with two microphones.

Hungary's parliament overhauls higher education amid outcry

Hungary's parliament overhauls higher education amid outcry
The statue by Hungarian artist Péter Szalay shows solidarity with Black Lives Matter.

Hungary artist’s BLM sculpture causes an uproar    

The installation by artist Péter Szalay is a kneeling sculpture of the Statue of Liberty, illuminated in rainbow colors with her left hand raised in a fist. A tablet in her right hand says: “Black Lives Matter.” 

Hungary artist’s BLM sculpture causes an uproar    
frida

As Hungarian nationalism rises, is there room for Frida Kahlo's art?

A right-wing pro-government newspaper has criticized a hugely popular exhibition of her work at the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest for "promoting communism."

As Hungarian nationalism rises, is there room for Frida Kahlo's art?
Richard Spencer

Poland's right-wing nationalist government objects to visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer

Poland's foreign ministry has objected to a planned visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer.

Poland's right-wing nationalist government objects to visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer
Hilda Tresz at the Rostov Zoo in Russia. Tresz works with zoos around the world to consult on animal welfare.

How to bring out the wild in zoo animals

Hilda Tresz of the Phoenix Zoo specializes in behavioral enrichment. It's not about giving zoo animals toys, she says. It's about giving them some control over their lives.

How to bring out the wild in zoo animals
Hungarian women leave voting booths at a polling station during a referendum on European Union migrant quotas in Veresegyhaz, Hungary, on Oct. 2.

Not all Hungarians back their leader's campaign against Muslim migrants

In Sunday's referendum, almost all Hungarian voters rejected EU quotas for resettling refugees across the 28-nation bloc. But little more than 40 percent actually voted — well below the threshold needed for the referendum to be valid. And some who did vote spoiled their ballot in protest.

Not all Hungarians back their leader's campaign against Muslim migrants
Hungarian Noir

It's this nation's most popular song. It also may be haunted.

The song "Gloomy Sunday" was written in 1933, in Hungary, and has been recorded by artists from Billie Holiday to Björk. Because of its subject matter, some artists have refused to record it. But a record label in Berlin asked musicians to record their versions — and the results are anything but gloomy.

It's this nation's most popular song. It also may be haunted.
At a court in Szeged, Hungary, judges have convicted 688 migrants of crossing the border with Serbia illegally.

Hungary is putting hundreds of migrants on trial ... for crossing the border

When it comes to the migrant crisis, Hungary sees itself as the responsible adult in Europe.

Hungary is putting hundreds of migrants on trial ... for crossing the border
Emicida

Eight artists from around the world you should be listening to right now

April Peavey, the mastermind behind The World's taste in music, went to this year's World Music Expo held in Budapest. Here are some of her favorites from the festival.

Eight artists from around the world you should be listening to right now
Banner at this year's WOMEX being held in Budapest

Despite threat of a boycott, one of the largest world music festivals is now underway

Attendees at one of the world's largest music expos were threatening to boycott this year's event because its host country, Hungary, has been unwelcoming to refugees.

Despite threat of a boycott, one of the largest world music festivals is now underway
Hungarian police guard refugees at a makeshift camp in an underground station near the Keleti train station in Budapest, Hungary September 2, 2015.

Refugees plead for help at a Budapest train station, while others question the wisdom of opening borders

Balancing the needs of refugees and local residents in Europe's immigration crisis can be all but impossible. Some criticize the media for over-simplifying the problem.

Refugees plead for help at a Budapest train station, while others question the wisdom of opening borders