On Sunday evening, Budapest’s Heroes’ Square was filled with thousands of demonstrators protesting the Orbán government’s hate-driven campaigns and the growing hostility in public discourse. The event, titled “Air!”, was organised by the Loupe Theatre Company and aimed to promote solidarity, peace, and cleaner public life.
Petition against hate posters gains momentum
The organisers, including actors Rozi Lovas, Tamás Lengyel, Áron Molnár, and János Antal Horváth, had earlier launched a petition demanding the removal of taxpayer-funded hate posters from public spaces. According to Népszava, more than 230,000 people have already signed it. The initiative is also linked to a referendum proposal that would ban political campaigns built on fear and hostility.
Messages of solidarity instead of fear
During the demonstration, organisers and civilians read out alternative poster ideas to replace hate-filled propaganda. These called for solidarity, compassion, and responsibility instead of division.
The messages highlighted issues such as child protection, the importance of health screenings, tackling homelessness, and fighting domestic violence.
The Hintalovon Foundation stressed that “protecting children is a shared responsibility.”
Strong words from the stage
Several well-known actors and public figures took the stage. Nóra Rainer-Micsinyei suggested launching an “alternative national consultation” that would address real social concerns, from the recent pardon scandal to the state of railway transport. Orsolya Tapasztó warned that hate campaigns seriously harm children by instilling fear in them.
Edina Pottyondy compared government propaganda to a “nerve agent” deliberately poisoning public discourse. Referring to the recent suicide of a police chief in Hódmezővásárhely, she argued that smear campaigns can have devastating consequences. She urged the crowd to remain calm but determined, and to vote for change in the upcoming elections.
Rozi Lovas, speaking as a Christian mother, said the campaigns and newly emerging AI-generated propaganda materials spread fear and anxiety. Áron Molnár stressed that “propaganda can kill” and called on people to take care of themselves and each other. Tamás Lengyel highlighted that Hungary can only be strong if it is a community of allies, not enemies.
Culture and unity at the core
The evening also featured cultural performances. József Attila’s iconic poem “Air!” was read aloud, and singer-songwriter János Bródy performed live. At the end of the event, the crowd joined in a communal song, lighting up the square with their phone flashlights. The message of unity was further reinforced by a video message from Judit Halász, who reminded participants that “hate only breeds more hate,” and urged society to teach future generations the values of love and acceptance.
Political reactions
The organisers emphasised that the demonstration was not connected to any political party, so there were no party flags or symbols on display. However, the governing Fidesz party did react. Its communications director, Tamás Menczer, mocked the event and the actors who participated in a Facebook post.
Conclusion
The Heroes’ Square protest sent a strong message: Hungary needs solidarity, compassion, and honesty in public life rather than hate-driven propaganda. By gathering in the thousands, the participants showed that many Hungarians want to reclaim public spaces from divisive political campaigns and build a more united community.
More Hungary news on our homepage→
From what I can see from the USA, is that the demonstration for love, understanding, and tolerance at Hero’s Square was driven by hate, misunderstanding, and intolerance, financed by the opposition party.
What do you see?
From here in Hungary I saw thousands of demonstrators protesting against the Orbán government’s hate-driven campaigns, the event itself driven by frustration of these hate-driven campaigns being paid from tax-payers money and the event was organized by Loupe Theatre Company.
I will bet literally my very last, bottom dollar that these people are funded and organized by sources from outside Hungary.
Maybe. Or maybe not.
One thing is sure, “these people” are not funded from tax-payers money like the governmets hate-driven campaigns are.
I keep reading ‘hate-driven campaign’ but not a single example so not sure what in particular is being protested against. And as for protecting children, Hungary is recognized as one of the few countries which has put laws in place to do that exactly. Compare that to many other places where youth who aren’t mature enough to understand that the tat they spend money on will be on their body forever, as their body morphs into middle age spread, as fashions change, as their career path is stalled….but are trusted to decide that having major sexual organs removed is a great idea cus they are desperate for attention or are going thru typical young person angst that almost no youth misses out on, but gets past.
As for actors, they should just entertain. In US, in Australia, Britain….when actors get their nose into politics it goes badly because usophisticated ppl who are fans trust their ideology and point of view…despite seeing how they dress, spend, behave. Not like average working stiffs for sure. I myself don’t trust the word of those paid to make up personas to convince others that they are such & such individual. And are good at hoodwinking shear mortals.
Then read the article again: “…hate posters from public spaces..”
Anyone who actally lives in Hungary has seen thousands of these.
And every country has child protection laws. Just in Hungary child protection system is badly corrupted.
Actors have the same rights as anyone else to say their opinion. I guess that is hard to understand for a Russian/Fidesz troll – you know, the concept of freedom of opinion and expression as declared in the Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Just like you have the right to say your opinion, actor are allowed to voice their opinion.
Thanks for sparing me the time posting what you posted. I to want clear examples of what “hate propaganda” is being posted. Posting anti lgbtq signs is free speech. Posting no boys in girls locker
rooms or bathrooms is common sense. Wanting illegal immigrants out is national security.
I disagree.
Posting anti-lgbtq signs is hate propaganda against lgbtq people.
Posting no boys in girls locker is hate propaganda against trans people since it is not about “boys in girls locker”, but it is about trans people´s rigth right to use locker rooms and other gender-segregated facilities that align with their gender identity.
Posting about EU/Brussels wanting to flood Europe with illegal immigrants is simply a lie and therefore hate propaganda against EU/Brussels.
Dictatorships / Authoritarianism Governments, – as is the FACTUAL practice – over the course of (15) fifteen years Hungary, we have been Governed by Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government, that has BEEN dismissive of the CORE of DEMOCRACY – that are “Venomous” – in bred and “in breath” – in WORD – that through call it a “toxic culture” dominated by Greed, Selfishness and EXPLOITATION of people, in millions of Hungarians, over (15) fifteen the Orban/Fidesz practice of distributed disbursing – HATED into human life, the people of Hungary, and of “other” countries – Venomous.
Propaganda, Blame – eradication dismissive of Fact & Truths, of Fabrication, of abuse exploitation – lacking respect and honesty with the people of Hungary – that DELIVERED to us, as a country over the course of (15) fifteen years places us in as a country, through the gargantuan FAILINGS of the Victor Mihaly. Orban led “ill -fated” Fidesz Government, in a “new dark age” abyss, that the nadir, of the DECLINE of our country is of great un-certainty.
Victor Mihaly. Orban is in GROWING fear of TRUTH and as the Spring of 2026 “in haste” approaches, what from his MOUTH, the mouths of his Government is SPREAD out said to the people of Hungary, from a Government that has NOTHING, nothing – to SPEND and INVEST into the FUTURE of Hungary, the MOUTH(s) of Orban his Fidesz Government, the “heinous” practices from Orban right through and “down the line” of the Fidesz Political Party – must be deeply examined – the promises in “scrambling” – in PANIC “mode” seeking – to be re-elected in the Spring of 2026.
They will be un-truthful and VENOMOUS but Hungarians grow in understanding, in SOLIDARITY that the Spring of 2026 the DOWNFALL of the Victor Mihaly. Orban led Fidesz Government will in FACT happen for the hope of a FUTURE for Hungary.
Hungary – we have been HUMILIATED.