What makes a Hungarian home abroad Hungarian?

When moving abroad, most Hungarians may feel daunted by the prospect of being surrounded by foreign cultures and traditions 24/7. Many bring personal objects from Hungary to customise their new home. We have collected some of the objects that Hungarians abroad find important to have in their new dwellings.

Home blessing

When discussing objects from Hungary, home blessings came up in the majority of cases. They usually hang in the hallway or the kitchen in a traditional Hungarian dwelling. The blessing has the following translation:

“Where there is faith, there’s love

Where there is love, there’s peace

Where there is peace, there’s blessing

Where there is blessing, God’s there

Where God is, there is no need.”

When asked why it is so important, Hungarians simply said it was something that just “belongs” to a Hungarian home. Sometimes, a tradition is so intimately intertwined with a culture that it does not have an explanation.

Hungarian flags

Hungarian and Székely flags are also popular in Hungarian homes and institutions abroad. They can come in all shapes and sizes; Hungarians mentioned that they have red-white-green ribbons on suitcases and in their cars. These subtly hint at the owner’s Hungarian heritage, although some non-Hungarians have assumed these to be representing Italian culture.