The Brief History of the Week

Presenting in one concise package the week’s most important and fascinating national stories, whether they be economic, political, cultural, sporting or among the hundreds of other happenings that go on daily.

Debrecen showing complete Munkácsy `Christ Trilogy`

All of Mihály Munkácsy’s famous “Christ Trilogy” is going on permanent display in Debrecen’s Déri Museum this month. The Hungarian state bought “Christ Before Pilate”  (pictured) this year after the owner, Canada’s Hamilton Art Gallery, agreed to sell. The National Bank of Hungary provided the funds. Workers used a crane to deliver the painting through a window in the museum`s dome. Munkácsy (1844-1900) painted “Christ Before Pilate” in 1881, “Golgotha” in 1884 and “Ecce Homo!” in 1896.

Xenophobia at highest

A record number of Hungarians expressed xenophobia or adverse attitudes towards foreigners in pollster Tárki’s annual survey. Fully 46% of respondents agreed with the statement that no asylum- seeker should be allowed to enter Hungary at all, the survey revealed. About 9% of respondents are considered to have views friendly to foreigners and 45% would hear arguments on whether asylum should be granted. Tárki’s xenophobia survey showed a rapid rise in such attitudes in its first three years, from 1992, then showed volatility and stayed stable between 2002 and 2011. There was an increase in 2012 and xenophobia stayed high in 2013 and 2014. It rose from the previous record of 43% in 2001 to 46% this April, Tárki said. Arabs were the most rejected, at 94%, followed closely by the Roma minority, Chinese, Africans and Romanians. The lowest rate of rejection against a national group was against Hungarians from other countries, 7%. The rate of xenophobia was slightly higher than average among Jobbik and Socialist voters and non-voters, as well as among the poor, unemployed and 40- to 50-year-olds, Tárki said. The survey was taken last month.

Putin opponents honoured

The international non-governmental organisation Platform of European Memory and Conscience has awarded this year’s prize to Russia`s Navalny brothers. The award was presented in Budapest to a representative of the brothers, who are barred from leaving Russia. The Platform recognised Oleg and Aleksei Navalny for their personal courage, sacrifices and efforts in maintaining fundamental democratic values and freedoms in the Russian Federation. “Human conscience is the most important weapon in fighting injustice and dictatorship,” Zsolt Németh, the head of Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said at the ceremony. “The Navalny brothers have demonstrated how powerful conscience can be.” Established in 2011, the Platform comprises 48 public and private institutions and organisations from 18 countries. It focuses on the research of and education about totalitarian regimes. The Prague-based group co-organised a two-day conference in Budapest on May 5-6. The award is made annually to a person or persons who are fighting against totalitarianism, for the ideals of democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the rule of law.

PM aims for civic goal

Fulfilling the dream of a civic Hungary as it was conceived of 25 years ago is the government’s main goal over the next three years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has told a conference in Parliament marking the anniversary of the freely elected body in 1990. The government now has the authority and strength to implement the programme for a civic Hungary, Orbán asserted. “This needed 20 years of struggles, a victorious constitutional reform and five years of devoted efforts, cleaning up the ruins and laying the foundations.” Parliamentary speaker László Kövér said the failed expectations and disappointments notwithstanding, the post-communist transformation was the only turning point in Hungarian 20th-century history that had not brought about losses or imprisonment but at least a partial restoration of self-government, freedom and independence. The symbolic date of May 2, when parliament was set up a quarter of a century ago, represented the transfer from dictatorship to democracy, from communism to a state governed by the rule of law, and from the people’s republic to a republic, Kövér added.

Kayakers banned over cocaine

Hungary’s Tamara Csipes and Bence Dombvári, who tested positive for cocaine, have been banned from competition for 10 months. The Hungarian Canoe-Kayak Federation`s disciplinary committee decision means the two are not allowed to participate in the federation’s competitions but they can go on training at their own expense. The decision allows 15 days for appeal. Csipes, 25, is a five-time world champion and was Hungarian Athlete of the Year in 2011. Dombvári, 22, has won silver and bronze medals in world championships. The federation was informed by the Hungarian Anti-Doping Group on April 21 about the two athletes’ drug results, and decided to remove them from Hungary’s national team. Last week the Hungarian Olympic Committee also decided to cut all funding for them.

HUF 5.4bn Audi engine centre set

German carmaker Audi has inaugurated a 5.4 billion forint engine development centre at its base in Győr. Audi Hungaria Motor played a big role in lifting Hungary’s exports to Germany by 10% last year, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at the opening of the 1,600-square-metre centre. Audi Hungaria Motor managing director Thomas Faustmann said the company wants to double the size of the development centre by the end of 2016. More than 200 engineers are working on some 200 types of engines in Győr, said Oliver Hoffmann, who oversees engine development at the base.  In most Audis around the world “beats a heart from Győr”, he added.

Spas await millions

Hungary’s spas drew more than 40 million visitors last year, state secretary Ádám Ruszinkó said, launching the open-air baths season. Fully 202 thermal baths operate in Hungary, which are a big draw for foreign tourists, he said.