Shows
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 26 Voices of '56 Part 5This 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 DirectionThe 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.Thi...
2025-11-2241 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / Part 25 / Hungarian Emigration 1849-2025I’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.✈...
2025-11-1636 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 24 Voices of '56 Part 4In 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...
2025-11-1246 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast: Voices of ’56, Part 3🎙️ 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 m...
2025-11-0443 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast: Voices of '56, Part 2🎙️ 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 sym...
2025-11-0241 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast: Voices of '56, Part 1The 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...
2025-10-3137 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast /20 The SzékelysWho 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 relev...
2025-10-1539 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 19 - Did the Kingdom of Hungary vanish after 1526?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...
2025-10-0738 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 18 The Siege of Eger, 1552What 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 h...
2025-09-2234 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 17; Special Guest: Dr. Illik PéterHistory 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:Can there really be such a thing as “objective history,” or is every account shaped by politics and culture?How do the perspectives of 16th-ce...
2025-09-1038 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 16 The Battle of Palást, 1552The 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...
2025-09-0241 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 15 The fall of Drégely CastleThe 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 ha...
2025-08-2533 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast, Episode 14 - The Last Stand of Losonczy István (Temesvár, 1552)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...
2025-08-1835 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / 13 - Troubles in Transylvania, 1551🔥 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...
2025-08-1130 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast – Special Edition! The 12th Episode; Guest: Konnát ÁrpádStill 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...
2025-08-0138 min
Hungarian History PodcastEpisode 11: "Castle Wars 1528–1550"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 andSzi...
2025-07-2729 min
Hungarian History PodcastEpisode 10 -After Mohács: Resistance, Rebellion, and a Deal with the Sultan🎙️ 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 pr...
2025-07-1337 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / Episode 9 - The Death of the King (1526)'Re-examining the Death of King Lajos II at Mohács' The death of King Lajos II in 1526 remains one of the most consequential historical mysteries in Central Europe. Although it has traditionally been recorded as an accidental drowning, several contemporary sources merit closer examination.The subsequent power struggle between Habsburg Ferdinand and Szapolyai János resulted in conflicting accounts of the king's final moments. However, the tendency of historians to insist on drowning as the cause of death likely stems from the political convenience of avoiding a 500-year-old crime scene, as both ruling po...
2025-06-2936 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / Episode 8 - Mohács 1526🎙️ Episode 8 – The Battle of Mohács: Cavalry, Chaos, and CollapseIn this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we take you to one of the most tragic—and misunderstood—days in Central European history.August 29, 1526.On the fields of Mohács, the fate of a kingdom is decided in just a few brutal hours.But this is not just the story of defeat.It is a story of warhorses and riders, of elite Hungarian knights and overconfident warriors, of strategy, panic, and unexpected strength.We’ll explore how the Hungarian caval...
2025-06-2034 min
Hungarian History PodcastEpisode 7 / Gold & Blood – The 36-Year War Before Mohács🔥EPISODE 7: Gold & Blood – The 36-Year War BeforeMohács🔥"The Borderland never slept. For 30 years, heroes held theline—outnumbered, underpaid, but never broken, whilekings were betrayed, treasuries looted, and Europe looked away."This episode shatters the myths:⚔️ Queen Beatrix's schemes. Kinizsi's betrayal. HowMátyás' legacy was stolen⚔️ The Jagellonian "Weakness" Lie – Why Ulászló II and Lajos II were not the fools history painted them to be⚔️ Kinizsi. Korvin János. Berislavić. The commanders who fought relentless wars while Buda’s nobles bickered⚔️ 1,000+ villages burned. 80+ battles. The untold cost ofholding the frontier against the Ottomans⚔️ Habsburg Mary emptying the t...
2025-06-1234 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Through International Eyes Episode 6 – Special Guest: Katerina Dunne Author of Lord of the EyrieIn this special episode, I talk with Katerina Dunne, author of the historical novel Lord of the Eyrie.Set in the time of Hunyadi János, her story brings 15th-century Hungary to life, told through the eyes of both a nobleman and his wife, caught in the chaos of war, politics, and survival.Katerina is a Greek-born writer who lived in Ireland for 25 years and recently moved to Cyprus.She learned Hungarian, fell in love with our history, and now shares it with the world in English.We talk about her creative journey, historical r...
2025-05-3123 min
Hungarian History PodcastThe Raven King vs. the CrescentIn this electrifying episode, we uncover how King Matthias Corvinus – the legendary Raven King – stood as the last true Christian monarch to confront the rising Ottoman threat with both pen and sword.⚔️ Matthias rebuilt Hungary's second line of defense on the southern borderland, held strongholds deep in enemy territory, and risked his own life in combat to beat back the Turks.🏇 His feared Black Army not only terrified Europe but also marched to Italy’s rescue, liberating Otranto from Ottoman occupation. What if he had not sent there troops? 🛡️ And when the Sultan’s troops swarmed into...
2025-05-2424 min
Hungarian History PodcastEpisode Four - The First Wars - 1366-1456🔥A Century of Struggle. One Historic Stand.In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, wejourney through nine turbulent decades—from the first Ottoman war in 1366 to the epic Siege of Nándorfehérvár / Belgrade in 1456.We must investigate the way that led to the siege ofNándorfehérvár / Belgrade—how betrayals, invasions, andresistance shaped the fate of Hungary and Europe.Hear the dramatic tale of kings betrayed, cities lost, battleswon—and how Hunyadi János defied the seemingly unstoppable OttomanEmpire at the gates of Belgrade.This is the story behind the...
2025-05-1624 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / Episode 3 - A peaceful Jihad?"The Ottoman Conquests Through European Eyes"How did different nations experience Ottoman rule? In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we explore:• The Ottoman claim of bringing tolerance—and the complex reality on the ground• How Hungary, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean regionsremember this era differently• Why the occupation left a lasting mark on Hungarian history and identityJoin us for a thoughtful examination of this pivotal historical period.What perspective did your history books offer on the Ottoman Wars? Share below—we may feature your thoughts!
2025-05-0422 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast / Episode 2 / The Turks are coming!The Origins of the Turks and the Meaning of the Ottoman ConquestsWhere did the Turks come from — and how did they become Ottomans?In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we trace the early history of the Turkic peoples, from the Asian steppes to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Discover how a tribal alliance became a global power, and how “Turkish” identity evolved along the way.What made the Ottoman state so different from the medieval Kingdom of Hungary? And how did these two worlds see themselves — and each other — before the...
2025-04-2422 min
Hungarian History PodcastHungarian History Podcast - Introduction Episode by Szántai Gábor🇭🇺 BREAKING THE SILENCE: Hungary’s History Is Now In English 🎙️Greetings to all! I’m Szántai Gábor, the creator of the "Hungarian History 1366-1699" Facebook page. After adecade of battling historical amnesia on social media, I’m launching the Hungarian History Podcast—the only English-language show dedicated to Hungary’s buried legacy.I am thrilled to announce the introductory episode of the Hungarian History Podcast. So far, it is the only English-language podcast diving deep into Hungary’s untold stories. Hungary’s past isn’t just a footnote—it’s Europe’s missing chapter.This podcast brings ove...
2025-04-1224 min
MAG - követők NEM Hivatalos csatornájaMagfalva - Szántai Lajos - A jövő egységben a múltunkka 2020.06.22.A video eredeti forrása Roman Negyedi Youtube csatornán található. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaTDoVacIU0GB1VvUbsO8g
2021-10-222h 22