Today, I released a special New Year’s podcast — not just a look back, but a turn in the road.

For years, this work has been my mission: to speak clearly about Hungarian history to three essential audiences — our global diaspora, Hungarians living around Hungary, and the interested non-Hungarian world.

But last year taught me a difficult truth: some tasks outgrow one person.

After serious health struggles and facing closed institutional doors, I’ve realized this work is too vital to remain a solo endeavor. It must become something stronger, more enduring, and shared.

That’s why, as of today, the “Hungarian History” project is becoming the “Hungarian History Movement.”

This isn’t a rebrand. It’s an invitation.

It’s an invitation to all who believe our history deserves a clear, persistent voice in the world — to help carry it forward, together.

The vision is simple: a community-powered platform that ensures our story is told, heard, and remembered — not as a monologue, but as a chorus.

Stay tuned. In the coming weeks, I’ll share how you can be part of building this, in whatever way fits your skills and time.

This movement begins with a shared belief. Thank you for being part of it from the very start.

With hope and determination,

Gábor

You can support this work here: https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/donate-my-work/

New Episode & A New Chapter: Join the Movement!

The 28th episode of the Hungarian History Podcast is now live, marking a pivotal moment.

For months, this project has been a solo mission to share our history. But the response has been incredible, and the mission has outgrown one person. Today, I'm announcing that this digital activity is evolving into a Movement.

This is an open invitation. If you believe in the power of our shared heritage and want to help disseminate authentic Hungarian stories, history, and culture within English-language and international community media, your voice, your skills, and your passion are needed. This is about us.

To launch this new chapter, I sat down with a remarkable guest whose family story is the very essence of what we aim to preserve. In this episode, I interview Suhajda László, author of "Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story."

It's a gripping true story of love, courage, and impossible choices set against WWII, the Russian occupation, and the 1956 revolution. It asks the haunting question: Who will survive, and at what cost? The audiobook edition is coming soon.

📖 Find Suhajda László's book on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/49fu5tsm

This is more than a podcast episode; it's the first step in building something bigger. Are you in?

You can contribute to the upkeep of my page by becoming a Patron or donating a cup of coffee:  https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwarsor at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa 

Thank you, köszönöm!

This powerful new installment continues our "Voices of ’56" series with Part 6, and for the first time, our focus spans the globe. I am honoured to host guests who found new homes in Canada and Belgium, sharing their deeply personal stories of the 1956 revolution and its aftermath.

These firsthand accounts are the heartbeats of history, and I am privileged to be able to share them with you.

A Pivotal Moment and the Birth of a New Mission

As November ends, this is the final episode where the primary focus remains exclusively on those who left in 1956. But these conversations have sparked something extraordinary. The overwhelming interest has made one thing clear: I must go on.

The response to our recent episodes—which brought thousands of new followers to our community—confirmed a powerful truth: you are deeply invested in these personal stories from our diaspora.

This has solidified a new, parallel mission for this project. However, let me be clear: this does not mean I am quitting the medieval and early modern age of Hungary. By no means.

The core mission to explore the full breadth of our nation’s history remains unchanged. But I am now adding a vital, dedicated layer: to address and include the global Hungarian diaspora and their descendants—a community with profound connections to Hungary that has, for too long, never been spoken to so directly.

Your Story is Our History: We Are Building an Archive

Therefore, the work of preserving these voices is expanding. I am now actively seeking stories from Hungarians worldwide—whether your family emigrated in the 1920s, after 1956, or just a generation ago. If you are a descendant of Hungarian origin and want to pass on your family's story, I want to hear from you.

Family histories must be preserved and told to the world. Together, we are building a living archive that aims to strengthen our shared identity.

And remember, this is the only existing English-language podcast that addresses and includes the diaspora this way.

If you have a story to share, I would be honoured to hear from you. Please get in touch with me through this page.

You can support my work:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/donate-my-work/

This new installment continues our powerful sub-series, "Voices of '56," bringing you Part 5 of my interviews with the heroes of the Hungarian freedom fight and their families. These firsthand accounts are the heartbeats of history, and I am honoured to share them with you.

A Moment of Thanks and a New Direction

The response to our last episode—a comprehensive summary of 170 years of Hungarian emigration—was overwhelming. It brought 2,500 new followers to our Facebook community in just one month, confirming a powerful truth: you are deeply invested in these personal stories from our diaspora.

This has solidified a new, parallel mission for this project. However, let me be clear: this does not mean I am quitting the medieval and early modern age of Hungary. By no means.

The core mission to explore the full breadth of our nation's history remains unchanged. But I am now adding a vital, dedicated layer: to address and include the global Hungarian diaspora and their descendants—a community with profound connections to Hungary that has, for too long, never been spoken to so directly.

Your Story is Our History

Therefore, the work of preserving these voices will continue long after the "Voices of '56" series concludes. I am now actively seeking stories from Hungarians whose families emigrated at any point in history—whether in the 1920s, after 1956, or just a generation ago.

If you have a story to share, I would be honoured to hear from you. Please contact me through this page.

Listen to the Latest Episode

Dive into this latest chapter of living history.

Thank you for your incredible support. Let's continue to preserve our legacy, together.

You can contribute to the upkeep of my work by becoming a Patron or donating a cup of coffee: 

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars or at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

I’ve just published a comprehensive episode on the Hungarian History Podcast that traces this epic story across continents and centuries.

This is the 25th episode, and we follow the footprints of:
🚢 The political exiles of 1849 who became generals in the American Civil War.
🏭 The millions of peasants lured by the “American Dream,” only to be exploited by a ruthless emigration industry.
🗺️ The generations torn from their homes by the trauma of Trianon.
💥 The 200,000 heroes of the 1956 Revolution who fled to the West.
🛂 The quiet, bureaucratic struggle of those escaping the “goulash communism” of the Cold War.
✈️ The modern wave of 500,000+ who left for the EU, reshaping our country today.

It is worth noting that since 1990, approximately 150,000 children have been born abroad to Hungarian mothers. However, only a small portion of them (~44,000) currently live in Hungary.

This is not just a series of statistics. It is the story of our nation. It is a story of resilience, but also one of tremendous loss. The chronicle of Hungarian emigration is a mirror held up to our history.  

We can’t avoid finally answering the question: “How many people of Hungarian descent live in the world today, outside the Carpathian Basin?” Here, I need to insert that concerning the Hungarians living outside modern-day Hungary, in the neighboring states, about one million Hungarians disappeared in the last 100 years. Ponder on it.

Based on the waves of emigration we’ve chronicled, historians and demographers estimate that the global Hungarian diaspora numbers approximately 4 to 5 million people. As for me, I would double this number because I would count all individuals who claim to have some Hungarian descent. And this number includes only those who live outside the Carpathian Basin.

This isn’t just a story of loss; it’s also a story of incredible resilience and genius—a few words about the great Hungarian inventors working abroad in the past 170 years. Their rate, compared to the genius brains of other nations, seems almost unreal.

In total, from the 19th century to the present day, there have been several hundred people of Hungarian descent who have achieved outstanding results internationally in the fields of science, technology, the arts, and culture.

This figure includes only the most famous names and represents a uniquely high proportion relative to the size of the Hungarian population. Indeed, the list of Hungarian inventors and Nobel winners abroad is staggering. So, while Hungary lost talent, the world gained genius.

If you’ve ever wondered why so many Hungarians live abroad, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to “The Chronicle of Hungarian Emigration” now on your favorite podcast platform!

Share, Subscribe, and Support this project of spreading Hungarian history:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-part-25-hungarian-emigration-1849-2025/

In these gloomy November days of 1956, the Soviet tanks had already crushed the major centers of resistance.

Across Budapest, the fight for freedom was fading, sustained only by the sporadic, isolated gunfire of the last remaining freedom fighters. We're continuing our special series, "Voices of '56," dedicated to the personal stories of the Hungarian Revolution and the diaspora that followed. This is the 4th sub-episode, and I sit down with new guests whose powerful messages of courage and legacy need to be heard.

Let's meet Emma, Steve, and Stephen from England...

The response to this series has been incredible. This focus on personal stories is resonating globally, helping our community explode to over 54,500 followers. Most impressively, our content now reaches over 1.5 million people every month.  

Thank you for helping this living history travel so far! This is more than history; it's a living archive. My mission is to ensure these stories are never forgotten. In our next episode, we will take a step back to provide crucial context.

We'll present a comprehensive summary of 170 years of Hungarian emigration.

Understanding this broader history—the waves of leave-takings and the diasporas they created—will allow us to place the "Voices of '56" into a deeper, more meaningful perspective. It is the essential backdrop to appreciate the stories of our future guests fully.

If you know someone who should hear this—especially the children and grandchildren of 1956—please share it with them. Their story is our history.

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-24-voices-of-56-part-4/

🎙️ EPISODE 23 IS LIVE: The Story of a 98-Year-Old Freedom Fighter 🎙️

I am deeply honored to share this chapter of our "Voices of '56" series. In Episode 23 of the Hungarian History Podcast, you will hear the testimony of Julius Gyula Bogár, a 98-year-old freedom fighter, and his daughter, Kathy.

This is more than an interview; it is a living piece of history. A story of courage, exile, and legacy, preserved against the passage of time.

The response to this series has been overwhelming, proving how urgently these stories are needed. Our reach has grown to 1.2 million people monthly, connecting with the diaspora and a global audience hungry for our authentic narrative.

This is the only English-language podcast entirely dedicated to Hungarian history, and it's becoming the archive our community deserves.

🎧 Listen to Julius and Kathy's powerful story now.

If this story moves you, please help us find more. Subscribe, support if you can, and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Your story is our history.

You can support it or subscribe to my page:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-voices-of-56-part-3/

🎙️ Hungarian History Podcast – Special 1956 Series: Episode 22 🎙️

Welcome back to the Hungarian History Podcast. I’m your host, Szántai Gábor.

Between the symbolic dates of October 23rd and November 11th, we continue our special series dedicated to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight — and the nearly 200,000 Hungarians who left their homeland in its aftermath.

They carried with them stories of courage, loss, and hope. Stories that built new lives across the free world.

Today, in Episode 22, you will hear from three guest speakers from the United States — voices that form part of the living symphony of 1956. Through their memories, we gain an intimate look into the journeys that shaped generations.

I ask each guest three simple but powerful questions:

• Who are they and where are they from?
• What is their story?
• How did that journey change their lives?

Their answers are more than memories — they are history.

These stories are still coming in — and this series will continue. If you or someone you know has a story to share from after the Revolution, please send me a message.

Thank you for helping us preserve these voices.

Support this project:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-voices-of-56-part-2/

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution wasn’t just 19 days. It was the beginning of 200,000 journeys. This is the series dedicated to those journeys.

I am proud to announce that Episode 21 of the Hungarian History Podcast is out now, launching a special sub-series preserving the personal stories of the 1956 exodus.

In this first episode, I am honored to have Batizy Levente, author of "The Biggest Hole in the Iron Curtain: The Batizy Story", a remarkable account of his family's escape.

We discuss his story, the legacy of that journey, and its significance today.

Learn more about his book on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Hole-Iron-Curtain-Batizy/dp/1478756942

This is just the beginning. The door is open, and more voices will follow to ensure these stories are never forgotten.

Your story is our history. If you or your family have a story to share, please don't hesitate to message me.

Who are the Székelys? Are they the descendants of Attila the Hun? A unique warrior class? The ancient guardians of Hungary's borders?

In our special 20th episode, we delve into the epic history of the Székely people—the easternmost Hungarian group. This one is about the Székelys—my wife's people. 

A community with a story of resilience, from medieval warriors carving runes on wood to modern-day bonfires lit for autonomy on the last Sunday of October..

I discuss their fierce love of freedom and why their struggle for rights remains as relevant today as it was in the 16th century.

Tune in for a journey to Székelyföld, a land of fortified churches, legendary battles, and unbroken tradition. If you love tales of identity, courage, and deep history, this is for you.

Did the Kingdom of Hungary vanish after 1526?And was the Transylvanian Principality just a mere vassal state of the Ottomans?

You’ve heard it countless times: after the Battle of Mohács, Hungary disappeared. I have heard this narrative from many Romanians that Hungary was wiped off the map, swallowed by empires, and only “reappeared” centuries later.
But that’s not what really happened.

“The Hungarian Kingdom vanished into the blue” — this is a provocative modern nationalist narrative, spread by those who want to marginalize Hungary’s historical role and deny its sacrifice in defending Western civilization, for which it paid a bloody price. It’s time to pose a Hungarian narrative to challenge these intentionally fabricated misconceptions.

In this episode, we uncover what really happened after 1526 — how the Kingdom of Hungary survived as a sovereign state, ruled by its own crown, laws, and diet, in personal union with the Habsburgs.
Royal Hungary, Transylvania, and Croatia each carried forward parts of that sovereignty, keeping the kingdom alive. In this episode, I also compared the Transylvanian Principality’s status with that of Wallachia and Moldavia.

We also examine the Croatian argument, which has a genuine historical and legal foundation — and how both sides utilized law, diplomacy, and power to defend their claims under extremely challenging circumstances.

This is not a story of disappearance.
It’s a story of continuity — of a kingdom divided but alive, sovereign even under the weight of empires.

What really happened during the legendary 39-day siege of Eger Castle? You may know Gárdonyi Géza’s classic novel The Stars of Eger (or also called „The Fall of The Crescent Moon”)—but have you ever heard the story from the Ottoman perspective?

In this dramatic episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we step into the tents of Pasha Hádim Ali and Serdar Kara Achmed as they lead nearly 45,000 Ottoman troops against Dobó István and his defiant garrison.

Through cannon fire, secret tunnels, betrayal, and explosive gunpowder plots, experience one of Hungary’s most heroic stands like never before.

Become a Regular Supporter:

Join me on Patreon to help sustain this work. https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars

Make a One-Time Donation:Support me occasionally on Buy Me a Coffee:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

Subscribe to Substack:

https://open.substack.com/pub/gaborszantai/p/welcome?r=3v2wim&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

History and Power: Can the Past Ever Be Objective?

Today I have a very special guest: Dr. Péter Illik, one of the leading experts on early modern Hungarian history. He is the author of more than 15 books and 200 scholarly articles, many of which have reshaped our understanding of the 16th century, the Ottoman–Habsburg conflicts, and even the international reception of the Treaty of Trianon.

🔎 In this episode, we explore:

1. Can there really be such a thing as “objective history,” or is every account shaped by politics and culture?
2. How do the perspectives of 16th-century chroniclers like Szerémi György compare with 20th-century historians like Nemeskürty István?
3. Why is Hungarian historical discourse still divided today between a “Habsburg-friendly” and a “Habsburg-critical” narrative?

This is a powerful conversation about how history is written — and how it continues to shape the way we think about the past and the present.

The Hungarian History Podcast is still the only English-language podcast dedicated entirely to Hungarian history. Since launching this show in April 2025, it has already reached more listeners than the Central European University’s “Vienna” podcast did in its entire first year, at least based on the publicly available information.

Thank you for your interest and support! If you enjoy my work, please share it with your friends and consider supporting it — I don’t have billionaires backing me, only listeners like you.

👉 Listen now, and share it with your friends so more people can discover Hungary’s fascinating history!

Become a Regular Supporter:

Join me on Patreon to help sustain this work:

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars

Make a One-Time Donation: Support me occasionally on Buy Me a Coffee:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

The Hungarian History Podcast returns with one of the bloodiest battles of the 1552 campaign.
Only weeks after the fall of Drégely, the Ottomans pushed north – and at Palást, they met the Christian armies of General Teuffel.

German mercenaries, Italian soldiers of fortune, and Hungarian hussars clashed with Janissaries, Sipahis, and Ottoman cannons.
It was a disaster for the Christians – yet men like Thury György still kept the flame of resistance alive.

🎧 Listen now and step onto the battlefield.

Please, subscribe to Substack or Patreon to support this project, or on the Buy me a coffee page, here are the links:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-16-the-battle-of-palast-1552/

The Hungarian History Podcast continues with the dramatic Siege of Drégely (1552) — the heroic last stand of Captain György Szondi and his men against overwhelming Ottoman forces.

The year is 1552. A small, crumbling fortress in the Börzsöny Hills stands as the last barrier between the Ottoman war machine and the heart of Europe. Inside, Captain Szondy György and his 146 men prepare to face an army of 12,000 Ottomans.

Their story is one of impossible odds, unwavering honor, and a sacrifice that shook even their enemy. It is a creation of a legend that has inspired Hungarians for centuries.

🌍 The Hungarian History Podcast is still the only English voice dedicated entirely to the rich and dramatic history of Hungary — making our past accessible to the world.

👉 Listen, subscribe, and share to help spread Hungarian history beyond our borders.
🙏 If you find value in my work, please consider supporting the project with a contribution or subscription — every bit helps me continue bringing these stories to life.

Substack: https://shorturl.at/nsFZ2

Outnumbered, undersupplied, and betrayed by allies, Captain Losonczy István and his men faced the unstoppable Ottoman war machine in one of the most dramatic sieges of the 16th century. This is a story of defiance, betrayal, and a final stand that still echoes through history.

🎙️ It is still the only English podcast focusing entirely on Hungarian history.
If you care about Hungary’s past and want these stories to reach the world, give it a listen, share it, and help keep the project alive.

Support this project on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwarsor on Buy me a Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa or on Substack:https://shorturl.at/nsFZ2

Thank you / Köszönöm.

🔥 Intrigue, Betrayal, and the Shadow of Siege 🔥

Transylvania, 1551.
An uneasy alliance shatters.
The White Monk — Martinuzzi György, cardinal, statesman, and master of intrigue — meets his fate in one of the most infamous political assassinations in Hungarian history.
As the Ottomans and Habsburgs circle like vultures, the frontiers of Hungary erupt into fire.

🎙 In the latest episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we trace the deadly chain of events from palace intrigue to the launch of the great Ottoman campaign of 1552.

You’ll hear how this campaign set the stage for the fall of Veszprém, the heroic stand at Drégely, and the defense of Eger — sieges that will each be told in full detail in future episodes.This is the outline before the storm… and next time, we march to the siege of Temesvár Castle.

📜 Listen now — history has never sounded this vivid.

Support this project with a cup of coffee if you can:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa or follow me on Patreon to spread Hungarian history: https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars

Still the only podcast in English dedicated entirely to Hungarian history, and today’s episode is something special!

Instead of a solo deep-dive, I’m thrilled to be joined by historian Konnát Árpád for a rich, dynamic conversation. A Transylvanian Hungarian, researcher at the Trianon Museum in Várpalota, and my dear friend (and swordmate!), Árpád brings incredible depth to this discussion.

Fluent in languages, skilled with both saber and longsword, and an author of historical fiction—he’s a true Renaissance man! (You might also know him as an admin of our thriving Facebook group, "Hungarian History And Culture Without Borders".)

This episode goes beyond the usual timeline, offering fresh insights, reflections, and context you won’t want to miss. 🗡️📜

🔊 Listen now—and if you enjoy it, please share! Supporting the podcast on Patreon, Substack, or Buy Me a Coffee helpskeep Hungarian history alive in English. Join me on:

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars and

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

Thank you for being part of this journey! 🇭🇺✨

Heroic last stands, brutal betrayals, haunted legends…
In this episode, we take you deep into the blood-soaked heart of the 16th century, when Hungarian and Ottoman forces clashed over castles, cities, and survival. From the fall of Buda to the forgotten siege of Valpó, from brave hussars to treacherous burghers – this is the story of the fortresses that shaped Hungary's fate.

💻 Digital self-defense in the 21st century needs heroesfrom the past.
🛡️ Making the invisible visible– Unearthing hidden, forgotten, or misrepresented layers ofHungarian history. Real history, no compromise.

🎧 Listen now and explore the battles before Eger andSzigetvár!
📍 Only on the Hungarian History Podcast– the only English-language voice dedicated to Hungary’s past.

▶️ Support the project. Share our legacy.

🎙️ Episode 10 — After Mohács: Resistance, Rebellion, and a Deal with the Sultan;
The Hungarian History Podcast with Szántai Gábor, the only English voice about Hungarian history on social media.

Before the catastrophe at Mohács in 1526, Queen Maria of Habsburg blocked all attempts to negotiate with the Ottomans.
After the king’s death, her brother Ferdinand of Habsburg claimed the Hungarian throne, promising that he and Emperor Charles V would defend the realm.

But behind the curtain?
Ferdinand’s envoys were offering tribute to the same sultan they claimed to oppose. They proposed an even greater sum than King Szapolyai had ever offered.

In this episode, we uncover what happened in the chaotic years after Mohács:

⚔️ The forgotten resistance at Pusztamarót in 1526 – where Hungarian peasants and nobles made their last stand.
🔥 The Serbian uprising of Cserni Jován in 1527 – a brutal internal war that tore through the southern frontiers.
🕊️ And the secret negotiations of Szapolyai’s envoy in Istanbul – a desperate diplomatic mission that worked.

This is the missing link between Mohács and the Castle Wars that followed.
Tune in — and discover the story that Europe forgot.