Author

Eszter Hegedűs

Worldleaders from nearly sixty countries will participate in the 32nd Economic Forum
strategy

Worldleaders from nearly sixty countries will participate in the 32nd Economic Forum

One of the mos important conferences of the Central and Eastern European region, the Economic Forum will be held for the 32nd time in Karpacz, Poland from 5 to 7 September where about sixty country's leaders will participate. This year’s conference was given the theme „New Values for the
Ukrainian refugees boost Central Europe’s economy
business

Ukrainian refugees boost Central Europe’s economy

It has been almost a year and a half since Russia attacked Ukraine, forcing millions of Ukrainians to flee their homeland to start a new life. Ukrainian refugees are integrating and boosting the CEE region’s economy with their labor. Around 14,000 Ukrainian citizens established sole proprietorship businesses in
Tensions on the Polish-Belarusian border have reached a peak
strategy

Tensions on the Polish-Belarusian border have reached a peak

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka talks about an „excursion to Poland” with the Wagner Group, Vladimir Putin accuses Poland of revisionist plans, and the Poles started massively strengthening their eastern border. The situation between the Russian-Belarusian alliance and Poland became extremely tense. But what exactly is going on in this region?
Poland’s rival parties campaign in the same way
strategy

Poland’s rival parties campaign in the same way

Poland is in the midst of the election campaign: the main challenger to the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) will be the Civic Coalition (KO) led by Donald Tusk. The election will be held in the autumn, and the battle for votes is intense, but it is difficult to
Promises, disappointment, unity: how the Vilnius NATO summit ended
strategy

Promises, disappointment, unity: how the Vilnius NATO summit ended

A NATO summit was held in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, from 11 to 12 July. War-torn Ukraine was the most discussed topic of the meeting, but Swedish accession was also an essential point on the agenda, as well as possible expansion in the Far East. The main topic of this
„I am not calmed down by waiting for a solution from the top” – a zero waste activist to Hype&Hyper
business

„I am not calmed down by waiting for a solution from the top” – a zero waste activist to Hype&Hyper

She began her career as a model and has published two books on environmentally and budget-friendly cleaning products and cosmetics that can be made at home. Instead of a rigid change, she believes in small steps and self-awareness, which is not only good for the planet but also guarantees a
The eightieth anniversary of the Volhynia massacre casts a shadow on Polish-Ukrainian relations
strategy

The eightieth anniversary of the Volhynia massacre casts a shadow on Polish-Ukrainian relations

July 11, 2023, marks the eightieth anniversary of the Volhynia massacre – a horrific event in which the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) murdered around 100,000 Polish civilians. Polish President Andrzej Duda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky jointly commemorated the massacre. While the Ukrainian President’s stand is significant, this blot
Romania and Bulgaria are trying to convince the skeptics of their Schengen accession
strategy

Romania and Bulgaria are trying to convince the skeptics of their Schengen accession

The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area is still blocked. When can they succeed? Only Croatia joined the Schengen Area on 1 January, as Austria and the Netherlands blocked the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. Still, the two countries continue working hard to become members of the
How did the Soviet underground think?
strategy

How did the Soviet underground think?

Attempts to define Russian identity have a long history. In the 1960s, a group of thinkers tried to define what was worth thinking and believing about the particularities of the time in the form of an underground movement. Join us to discover the secrets! The Russian intellectuals turned away from
I am constantly trying to break out of my own bubble - interview with Eszter Gózon
business

I am constantly trying to break out of my own bubble - interview with Eszter Gózon

Eszter Gózon, a sustainable color and style consultant, has come up with a niche approach: Eszter provides her guests with advice and helps them to dress and shop with an understanding of themselves and their bodies, eliminating the many unnecessary circles, accumulation, and self-flagellation. She does not think sustainability is
An opposition activist in Belarus has been pardoned from eight years in prison
strategy

An opposition activist in Belarus has been pardoned from eight years in prison

Raman Pratasevich, a former opposition activist, journalist, and blogger, who was dragged off from a Ryanair plane, and arrested amid an international scandal, is free. „I am incredibly grateful to the country and, of course, to the president personally for such a decision. This is, of course, just great news,
Design and business—can they work together?
business

Design and business—can they work together?

Today, a good idea is no longer enough for a successful business—you need to be able to sell it. Design is a tool that can pay huge dividends, even in non-creative industries, if used properly. How good are Central European businesses at this? The Innovation Center (IC) of the
How much do we like the West in the region?
strategy

How much do we like the West in the region?

On Tuesday, 30 May, a demonstration took place in Prague. The demonstrators were protesting against the deployment of a US military base in Czechia, which is a symbolic issue for more than one reason. A tense demonstration took place in Prague on 30 May when hundreds of people gathered in
Poland will investigate Russian influence, but not everyone is happy about it
strategy

Poland will investigate Russian influence, but not everyone is happy about it

Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed and then proposed to amend a law establishing a state commission of inquiry to investigate and uncover Russian influence in Poland between 2007 and 2022. The news of the commission has caused a stir: the Polish opposition says that this plan is only intended
An outlet for sustainability?—25 years of Designer Outlet Parndorf
business

An outlet for sustainability?—25 years of Designer Outlet Parndorf

Designer Outlet Parndorf opened its gates twenty-five years ago—the outlet, which is now hugely popular in the region, attracts a host of tourists and visitors every year, offering everything from the coolest luxury brands to affordable fast fashion collections—all for a fraction of the original price. But the
Monarchy: outdated form of government or democratic triumph?
strategy

Monarchy: outdated form of government or democratic triumph?

The coronation of Britain’s monarch, Charles III, a few weeks ago attracted huge attention around the world. Many celebrated the preservation of a historic tradition in the 21st century, while others took a more critical view. This renewed spotlight on the British royal family has once again thrust the
Luxury beliefs: what could replace Porsches and golf?
business

Luxury beliefs: what could replace Porsches and golf?

Luxury cars, expensive hobbies, designer clothes—since the dawn of time, there have been things that only the wealthy can afford and that serve their owners not only in terms of functionality but also in terms of symbolic value. The term used for such things is ‘status symbol’, which communicates
Artificial intelligence: risk or opportunity?
strategy

Artificial intelligence: risk or opportunity?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is probably the most remarkable boom of recent times. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, can now be used by anyone to do almost anything, from writing an essay to giving relationship advice. The chatbot seems like fun for now, not really affecting the everyday life of the
The Catholic Church facing an unprecedented crisis in Poland
strategy

The Catholic Church facing an unprecedented crisis in Poland

The 21st century has undoubtedly put religion in a new perspective: while Christian communities took the continuation of tradition for granted a few decades ago, today’s youth started to question the importance of religiosity, not to mention the religious institutions’ moral integrity. Poland is no exception; the Central European
Could Poland banish coal with small modular nuclear reactors?
business

Could Poland banish coal with small modular nuclear reactors?

Poland would replace its current, not sustainable energy system predominantly with renewable and nuclear energy, and they plan to achieve this target by around 2040. Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment plans to have 51% of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources and 23% from nuclear power
Braving the elements: We visited Budapest’s trendiest basement farm!
business

Braving the elements: We visited Budapest’s trendiest basement farm!

Bedrock.farm’s founding team met in a student association a few years ago, and now they provide many restaurants in Budapest with quality, indoor-grown microgreens that act both as garnish and flavoring when served. But their journey was not always easy — we discussed the operation, history, challenges, and goals
Visa supports women entrepreneurs
business

Visa supports women entrepreneurs

Visa’s exciting and unique She’s Next program launches in Hungary this spring to support women entrepreneurs, who typically face career challenges that men face less or not at all. On 28 March, Visa, the world’s leading digital payments provider, launched its global program for women entrepreneurs in
Cheap Ukrainian grain destroys Central Europe
business

Cheap Ukrainian grain destroys Central Europe

The massive imports of Ukrainian grain and its economic consequences are causing turmoil among Central and Eastern Europe’s farmers in the past few months. The problems even affect Polish politics: Henryk Kowalczyk, Poland’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, resigned on 5 April amid growing protests and the
The Vinted story: sell what you do not need and buy second-hand
business

The Vinted story: sell what you do not need and buy second-hand

Almost everyone is familiar with Vinted today: The Lithuanian online marketplace has taken second-hand buying and selling to a new level, making it trendy in many countries. Vinted has millions of users and serves an international market, but not the Lithuanian company was the first to make the resale of
Who is Aleksandr Dugin, the self-proclaimed Russian prophet?
strategy

Who is Aleksandr Dugin, the self-proclaimed Russian prophet?

The man who is a bigger Putinist than Putin himself. Analysis by Brittany Pheiffer Noble, Ph.D. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war started more than a year ago, and while for the West, it is evident that the Russian aggression against Ukraine is wrong, it would be naive to think that
“Rapping naked is quite enjoyable”—Interview with Co Lee, the clown of the Hungarian rap scene
lifestyle

“Rapping naked is quite enjoyable”—Interview with Co Lee, the clown of the Hungarian rap scene

Co Lee, or Kolos Halász in his civil name, is a relatively new, but all the more charismatic figure on the Hungarian music scene. After his initial English-language lyrics, Co Lee released a Hungarian-language album this year and opened up to the public a circus, in which we cry as
Success, money, glamour in another way: the de-influencing trend
business

Success, money, glamour in another way: the de-influencing trend

De-influencing is a small step against overconsumption but a big step for the influencer culture. Everyone is now familiar with the controversial influencer phenomenon: many people condemn social media personalities with many followers who advertise various products and make a lot of money seemingly easily. On the other hand, some
If you want something tasty and cheap: dishes from the region for times of high inflation!
business

If you want something tasty and cheap: dishes from the region for times of high inflation!

Adapting to rampant inflation and prices skyrocketing for many months is a serious challenge for many of us. There are plenty of strategies to save some money, from giving up expensive hobbies to taking only three-minute showers. Nonetheless, not all forms of economizing are necessary sacrifices: We introduce some truly
Shallow gold diggers?
business

Shallow gold diggers?

How and why did the stereotypes about Eastern European women emerge? Stereotypes have been, are, and most probably will be in the future, and females are highly affected by them: there are stereotypes based on women’s age, body type, social class, and background. The „Eastern European woman” has always
No renewable energy, no investment
business

No renewable energy, no investment

Central and Eastern Europe has substantial investment potential, but there are pitfalls and many conditions: large corporations demand sustainable solutions and green energy nowadays. In Poland, giant companies such as Google, Amazon, IKEA, and Mercedes approached lawmakers to support such solutions, but it is still to be seen how much
What can Czechia expect from the new president?
strategy

What can Czechia expect from the new president?

Petr Pavel is the new president of the Czech Republic: the retired general defeated Andrej Babiš by a significant margin and took office as the new Czech head of state after the end of Miloš Zeman’s term in March. Petr Pavel received 58.3% of the votes in the
“Everyone deserves to live pain-free” | Hungarian-developed ARTEMIS relieves menstrual pain
business

“Everyone deserves to live pain-free” | Hungarian-developed ARTEMIS relieves menstrual pain

More than a quarter of the world’s population menstruates, but the topic is still partly taboo in 2023—there are cultures that segregate menstruating women, and even in the developed world, it is not easy to bring up the subject without someone blushing. However, menstruation and the pain that
“We believe that beautiful women are those who dare to be themselves” | Interview with the AERON team
design

“We believe that beautiful women are those who dare to be themselves” | Interview with the AERON team

Copenhagen Fashion Week, which kicked off on January 31, was opened by a collection from Hungarian brand AERON. The Danish capital’s fashion week puts sustainability at the heart of its mission, which Eszter Áron’s brand also regards as one of their core values. We spoke to the founder,
Getting used to constant distress—daily life in Ukraine
strategy

Getting used to constant distress—daily life in Ukraine

Ukraine has been at war for almost a year; the Russian military forces are relentlessly attacking the country, causing enormous damage not only to Ukraine’s army and infrastructure but also to civilians. Over the past year, Ukrainians have proven their unshakeable perseverance. While the rest of the world might
How does the crisis impact the Polish furniture industry?
business

How does the crisis impact the Polish furniture industry?

Poland has a remarkable furniture industry; the Central European country is a global leader in the production and export of furniture. The sector has decades-long history, and it even played an important role in some furniture giants’ first steps, such as IKEA. The Polish furniture industry is on the up,
US withdraws Patriot missile defense system from Slovakia
strategy

US withdraws Patriot missile defense system from Slovakia

The US Army withdraws a Patriot air defense missile system from the Malacky-Kuchyňa airbase in Slovakia. The decision also entails the departure of 100 American soldiers. The Patriot missile defense system will be moved to Germany from Slovakia. According to Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad’, the Patriot system will be
Will we be cold next winter?
business

Will we be cold next winter?

Although Europe has survived this winter, high energy prices, energy dependence on Russia, energy independence, and diversification of energy sources have all become the buzzwords of 2022. These problems affect everyone, and they need to be addressed somehow. What is the current state of the energy crisis, and what are
Fighting on the battlefield, war in the minds: how are Ukrainian children learning?
strategy

Fighting on the battlefield, war in the minds: how are Ukrainian children learning?

24 February will be the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Ukrainians are suffering from various difficulties and losses during the long months of the war. The war is not selective; it destroys everyone’s lives, including school-age children, whose education has now become not only a
The spread of green thinking is good, but green hysteria is not – interview with János Tóth I.
business

The spread of green thinking is good, but green hysteria is not – interview with János Tóth I.

Sustainable development and environmental protection are everyone’s responsibility, but what is the individual’s role concerning the „green issues?” How can we build an ecological society, and in which cases can „enclosure” be positive? Our interview with János Tóth I., a philosopher and a biologist, author of the book
The ozone hole may disappear in a few decades
strategy

The ozone hole may disappear in a few decades

The UN’s latest environmental report, published on 9 January, says the ozone hole over Antarctica could disappear in around four decades and is already in the healing process. The positive developments result from the international regulations introduced in the late 1980s. But what changes if the ozone layer is
What is Central and Eastern Europe’s economic outlook in 2023?
business

What is Central and Eastern Europe’s economic outlook in 2023?

Europe, just like the rest of the world, is going through a difficult period, which is far from over. As we finally recovered from the pandemic, Russia attacked Ukraine, and the developed world has been hit by a severe economic and energy crisis. The plight is far from ideal, but
Croatia: goodbye to border control, hello to euro
business

Croatia: goodbye to border control, hello to euro

1 January 2023 has not been just another New Year’s Day for Croatia: the Western Balkan country joined the Schengen Area, and the Croatian kuna has been replaced by the euro. But what do the forward-looking developments mean in practice? The Schengen Area membership means significant freedom to the
Replacing Russian gas with Cypriot gas?
business

Replacing Russian gas with Cypriot gas?

The discovery of significant natural gas reserves near the coast of Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, in December is crucial for the European Union as it aims to cut its dependence on Russian gas after the invasion of Ukraine starting in February 2022. But what other implications does
How to keep your New Year’s resolutions
strategy

How to keep your New Year’s resolutions

Making a New Year’s resolution is as common as waiting for summer in winter or winter in summer. Although increasingly more people look at those who make resolutions with skepticism or even a bit of mockery, probably this tradition will not disappear soon. But what motivates people to attach
Last-minute Christmas gift ideas, not just for beginners!
business

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas, not just for beginners!

The Christmas special of Hype&Hyper’s Business&Strategy column. For those who leave the shopping to the last minute! Relaxation, reflection, and spending time with family and friends – ideally, these are the activities we associate with Christmas. But the holiday season also means less pleasant activities, such as the
The lack of Washington’s Ukraine strategy
strategy

The lack of Washington’s Ukraine strategy

What can the West expect after the invasion of Ukraine? What is the role of Central Europe in international organizations today? In what aspects is the current situation different from the Cold War? These questions were addressed in the „After Ukraine, where does the West stand?” panel discussion at the
There are facts against the propaganda
strategy

There are facts against the propaganda

This year’s Sakharov Prize was awarded to the Ukrainian people on 14 December 2022 by the European Parliament. Since the Russian invasion began in February, the Ukrainian forces have relentlessly defended the country and the whole West. The Ukrainians, on the fronts, are protecting the democratic values alongside their
Putin has done an evil thing in an evil way – interview with Tony Abbott
strategy

Putin has done an evil thing in an evil way – interview with Tony Abbott

Putin’s attack on Ukraine has been devastating, but he is not the only leader with expansionist ideas: China's emergence also poses a great threat to the existing world order – says Tony Abbott, former prime minister of Australia. Interview. An expert from Australia has told me that despite the fact
Protests in China not seen in decades
strategy

Protests in China not seen in decades

„The white paper represents everything we want to say but cannot say.” In recent weeks, protests not seen in decades erupted in China: the protesters are mainly fighting against China’s almost three years old strict zero-COVID strategy, but they also have other demands. The demonstrators have now even started
Can Romanian natural gas make Europe less dependent on Russia?
business

Can Romanian natural gas make Europe less dependent on Russia?

The solution might lie at the bottom of the Black Sea. The Russo-Ukrainian war has made Europe realize that its dependence on Russian energy is not beneficial and makes the continent highly vulnerable. Energy independence and diversification of resources are strongly desired, and some measures have already been implemented to
Gen Z: snowflakes or future revolutionaries?
business

Gen Z: snowflakes or future revolutionaries?

Older generations have always criticized young people: they are lazy, spoiled, and nowadays also hypersensitive and always on their phones. Still, the so-called „Generation Z” (today’s teenagers and young adults in their early twenties) is unique: they were the first to grow up in the Internet age, and they
Who will be the new Czech president?
strategy

Who will be the new Czech president?

Czech voters can choose between a former prime minister accused of corruption, a liberal university rector, and a retired law-and-order army general. Incumbent Czech President Miloš Zeman is serving his second and last term, as he is not eligible to run for a third one, and the date of the
How far will the world population rise?
strategy

How far will the world population rise?

Humanity reached the milestone of eight billion, a psychological threshold, on 15 November 2022. The planet’s population is ominously growing, which is not positive for either the ecosystem or humanity; with the most optimistic mindset, we can call the situation an ambivalent development. But the real question is what
How do European powers respond to the increasing power of China?
strategy

How do European powers respond to the increasing power of China?

Interview with Hugo Meijer. The growing expansion of the People’s Republic of China' power in the post-Cold War era has brought about a great number of new challenges and questions for the Western world. European powers had to adapt to the changing power dynamics in their policies and priorities
Christmas 2022: better to recharge without spending money?
business

Christmas 2022: better to recharge without spending money?

In the era of consumerism full of advertisements, the festive season rather means excessive decorations and giant gifts than spending time with our loved ones and relaxing a bit at the end of the year. But this year’s Christmas will be different from the previous ones, with prices skyrocketing,
Brain drain in Central and Eastern Europe
business

Brain drain in Central and Eastern Europe

To what extent is our region affected by brain drain? Many Central and Eastern Europeans probably know what brain drain is: It means the migration of high-skilled professionals from one country to another with better living and working conditions. Brain drain is a global phenomenon but affects different countries differently.
Spent his first night on the street but now works for the global elite
business

Spent his first night on the street but now works for the global elite

The American Dream of a Slovak man - the story of Jozef Bil. America is the land of promise and opportunity. Although this saying faces many criticisms, and not many people believe in it anymore, success stories still exist. One of them is the life of Jozef Bil. The United
Does Central and Eastern Europe suffer from alcoholism?
strategy

Does Central and Eastern Europe suffer from alcoholism?

Stereotype or reality? - alcoholism in our region. Alcoholism is probably one of the most complex addictions: Firstly, alcohol is easily accessible; thus, many people can become addicted to it. Secondly, it is part of our culture to a large extent, so drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. Thirdly, alcoholism is
Is the Iron Curtain coming down again?
strategy

Is the Iron Curtain coming down again?

The answer is yes; the only question is where exactly. The ideological roots behind the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the emerging new world order, and the possible outcomes of the war are very relevant topics worthy of discussion. Norman Naimark, an American historian and professor at Stanford University, visited Budapest to share
What challenges do the Western Balkans face?
strategy

What challenges do the Western Balkans face?

„We still debate history as our reality.” Once known as the powder keg of Europe, many things changed in the Balkans, but the challenges remained. EU integration, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and the Bosnian and Bulgarian elections are crucial issues at the moment, shaping the Balkans’ future. The Mathias Corvinus Collegium
How much less do women earn in Central and Eastern Europe?
strategy

How much less do women earn in Central and Eastern Europe?

The gender wage gap is a frequent topic in the context of gender equality. There are many reasons why women and men may earn differently. Differences in traditional gender roles, discrimination, and professions strongly dominated by women or men are just a few examples from the long list of causes.
Teaching, but at what cost?
strategy

Teaching, but at what cost?

How much money do teachers make in Central and Eastern Europe, and how can they live on their salary? In Hungary, much attention is focused on education now, especially on teachers’ salaries and dignity. Teachers complain because of financial difficulties, poor circumstances, and overwork. A large part of society supports
How can we save some money during the energy crisis and high inflation?
business

How can we save some money during the energy crisis and high inflation?

Record-high inflation and the energy crisis have severely affected society, but the big challenge - winter - is still ahead of us. The majority has already realized that we will only get through the coming times by making conscious choices and economizing our consumption. Many ways of saving money are