Danube Institute Podcast

How does Hungary become the focus of interest for a French historian? What are the dangers for the Western world and why can Hungary and Central Europe be an inspiration for Europe? A new episode of the Chain Bridge podcast looks at Thibaud Gibelin's book "Why Viktor Orban Plays and Wins - the resurgence of Central Europe". The author is interviewed by Ákos Bence Gát, Head of Communications and Ex...

In the seventh episode of our new series, ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary,’ we are joined by Dr. Jehuda Hartman, born in Budapest and currently lives and works in Israel; he specializes in the history of Hungarian Jews in modern times. In this episode, we talked about the history of Hungarian Jewry from the communist period to the present day. We concluded with a discussion about how Hungary...

In the sixth episode of our new series, ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’, we are joined by Dr. Jehuda Hartman, born in Budapest and currently lives and works in Israel; he specializes in the history of Hungarian Jews in modern times. Dr. Hartman is a recipient of the Israel National Defense Prize. In the first part of our discussion, we talked about Dr. Hartman’s and his family’s unique earl...

In the seventh episode of our new series, ‘Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’, we are joined by Ádám Schönberger, the head of the large Jewish youth cultural organization MAROM, which is based in Budapest, as well as the founder and owner of the popular Hungarian youth festival Bánki-tó. In this episode, we talked about the organization MAROM and its relationship with a wide range of Hungarian...

Former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, joins the podcast to discuss his personal experience with Putin and Xi, and to offer his reflections on the similarities and differences between Russia's interest in Ukraine, and China's in Taiwan.

Writer Paul Kingsnorth explains his concept of 'the machine' as a metaphor for what ails the contemporary west, and where the cure lies.

Historian and political philosopher, Ofir Haivry, joins the podcast to share his reflections on Christmas through the medium - naturally enough - of David Bowie's life and music.

Writer and psychiatrist Dr Iain McGilchrist discusses the problem with scientism, the need to pay attention, and the importance of beauty in our lives.

Prof David Martin Jones, the new head of research at the Danube Institute, and formerly of the University of Queensland, joins the podcast to discuss his book History's Fools: the pursuit of idealism and the revenge of politics, published by Hurst and Oxford. Is the West in the grip of foolish idealism? If so, who are the fools? What do they believe? And why does it matter?

The death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September of 2022 set Iranian public opinion on fire, sparking mass unrest and civic protests on a scale unprecedented in the history of the Islamic Republic. Join us for a discussion about the movement that her tragic death inspired, and hear from experts Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan and Professor Rózsa Erzsébet about what this movement means for Iran, and for...

Writer and translator Pásztor Péter joins the podcast to discuss the work and legacy of the Canadian literary critic and theorist Northrop Frye, and particularly Frye's work on the biblical legacy in Western literature.

In the fifth episode of our new series, ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’, we are joined by Virág Gulyás, a non-Jewish Zionist activist and journalist who is well-known for her blog called the Almost Jewish. We talked about how she became a Hungarian non-Jewish activist who fights against anti-Semitism in the US. In our discussion, we covered topics related to anti-Semitism in Hungary, such a...

Sociologist and Sinologist Eric Hendricks-Kim joins the podcast to discuss China, the West, and the near future of geopolitics.

In the fourth episode of our new series ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’, we are joined by Rabbi Róbert Frölich, chief rabbi of Hungary and the chief rabbi of the Dohány Street Synagogue since 1993. In the second episode of our conversation with Rabbi Frölich, we talked about the reasons why the Hungarian Jewish community is so divided, and there is conflict between MAZSIHISZ and EMIH leader...

In the third episode of our new series ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’, we are joined by Rabbi Róbert Frölich, chief rabbi of Hungary and the chief rabbi of the Dohány Street Synagogue since 1993. In the first part of our discussion with Rabbi Frölich, we talked about the history of the neolog Jewish movement in Hungary, the MAZSIHISZ neolog Jewish organization, and the distinction between...

In the second episode of our new series ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’ we continue our conversation with Rabbi Baruch Oberlander, chief leader of the Chábád/ Lubavich community and the head of the Budapest Orthodox Rabbinate. In this episode, we talk about the different perceptions of anti-Semitism in Hungary and about the conflict between the Jewish communities MAZSIHISZ and EMIH. Althoug...

In the first episode of our new series ’Judaism and Anti-Semitism in Hungary’ we are joined by Rabbi Baruch Oberlander, chief leader of the Chábád/ Lubavich community and the head of the Budapest Orthodox Rabbinate. In the first part of our discussion with Rabbi Oberlander, we talk about Jewish history in Hungary, the Chabad/Lubovicher movement, the establishment of Chabad in Hungary, and the secu...

Journalist, editor, and President of the Danube Institute, John O'Sullivan, offers his thoughts and reflections on the late Queen, from his memories of her coronation, to her relationship with Thatcher, to what the public reaction her death says about Britain. Due to recording conditions, adjusting your volume is advised.

In this episode of A Metter of Perspective, geopolitical podcast series of the Danube Institute, we discuss some very current questions related to the global energy situation. Our guests, Tamás Pletser, oil and gas industry analyst at the Erste, and Fanni Korpics, research fellow of the Danube Institute answered questions related to the shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy resources, to t...

In this episode of A Matter of Perspective researchers of the Danube Institute discuss European military developments since the end of the Cold War. Anton Bendarzsevszkij, director of research, Tamás Orbán, senior research fellow, and Peter Szitás, research fellow talk about defence modernisation programmes across Europe, but they put a greater emphasis on the latest procurement schemes, especiall...

This episode of the „Broad Abroad Podcast” offers a glimpse behind the scenes of the rule of law debates between Hungary and the European Union, and intelligible explanation on the US Supreme Court’s decision on abortion rights, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Why does Brussels constantly criticise Hungary on the field of the Rule of Law? What are the underlying political and institu...

In the third episode of our new series 'Religious Diversity in Hungary' we are joined by Abouna Youssef Khalil, a former medical doctor and priest currently serving as the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Hungary. In this episode, we learn about Abouna Youssef's journey from the streets of Cairo to the boulevards of Budapest, and discuss how this ancient faith has found a new home - and a new...

In the second episode of our new series, 'Religious Diversity in Hungary', we continue our conversation with Peter Morvay, the communications and international relations officer of the pentecostal-charismatic Faith Church, Hit Gyülekezete. In this episode, we asked Mr Morvay about Christian-Zionism, how and why Faith Church has a vital role in fighting against anti-Semitism in Hungary, and why is...

The Danube Institute's podcast series' newest episode explores the economic, diplomatic and geopolitical challenges the Visegrad Group (V4) countries face in relation to the war in Ukraine, as well as opportunities and difficulties of future cooperation within the renowned Central European format. Our guests are Péter Stepper, senior research fellow of the Institute for Foreign Policy and...

In the first episode of our new series called ‘Religious Diversity in Hungary’, we had a two-part discussion with Peter Morvay, the communications and international relations officer of the independent pentecostal-charismatic Faith Church, Hit Gyülekezete. In the 70-80s Faith Church was an underground church that had to have all of its worship meetings illegally during the Communist era. We asked...