What animals live in Hungary?

Hungary is a land of wide open plains, rivers, and forests — and a surprising number of wild creatures call it home. The great Hungarian plain, called the Puszta, is famous for its grey cattle, sturdy Hungarian horses, and big fluffy sheepdogs called Komondors that guard flocks with serious dedication. In the rivers and wetlands, you can spot white storks nesting on rooftops and chimneys — Hungarians consider it good luck when a stork picks your house! Red foxes, wild boar, and roe deer live in the forests, and the Danube River is home to sturgeon and catfish that can grow surprisingly large. God packed a lot of variety into this landlocked country right in the heart of Europe.

What do kids eat in Hungary?

Hungarian kids often eat a thick, hearty soup called gulyás — that's goulash — made with beef, paprika, and vegetables. Paprika is a red spice that shows up in almost everything in Hungary, and it gives the food a rich, warm flavor unlike anything you'd find in a typical American kitchen. For something sweeter, kids in Hungary love lángos — a deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, a bit like a savory donut. And for dessert, a thin rolled pastry called kürtőskalács, or chimney cake, is baked over coals and dusted with cinnamon sugar. It looks like a hollow cylinder and tastes like fresh-baked bread meets a cinnamon roll.

How do people say hello in Hungary?

In Hungary, the most common greeting is 'Szia' (say it like 'see-ya'), which is used between friends and people your own age. For adults or people you don't know well, Hungarians say 'Jó napot' (yo NAH-pot), which means 'Good day.' Hungarian is one of the most unusual languages in Europe — it's not related to French, Spanish, German, or most other European languages at all. It actually has distant cousins in Finnish and Estonian, way up north! Missionaries who go to Hungary have to work hard to learn it, but when they can greet someone in their own language, it opens hearts to hear the good news about Jesus.

What sports or games do kids play in Hungary?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Hungarian kids love football — that's what they call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find them kicking balls around in courtyards and parks all across the country, from the big city of Budapest to small villages near the Danube River. Rusty wants to add that Hungary is also famous for water polo, which is a sport played in a swimming pool where two teams try to throw a ball into each other's goal. Hungary has won more Olympic gold medals in water polo than almost any other nation — pretty impressive for a country that isn't even near an ocean! Kids there also enjoy table tennis, chess, and a traditional folk game called 'fogócska,' which is a lot like tag.

What's the weather like in Hungary?

Hungary has four real seasons, which means the weather changes a lot through the year. Winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing. Summers get warm and sunny, often reaching into the 80s Fahrenheit. Hungary sits in the middle of Europe, so it does not get ocean breezes to soften the seasons — that means winters feel genuinely cold and summers can feel genuinely hot. Spring brings wildflowers across the countryside, and autumn turns the vineyards and forests into shades of red and gold. It is a land with big, dramatic skies and wide open plains called the Puszta, where you can see the weather rolling in from miles away.

Tell me a fun fact about Hungary.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Hungary sits right in the middle of Europe, and its capital city, Budapest, is actually two cities that joined together — Buda on one side of the Danube River and Pest on the other. They merged back in 1873, and today one big beautiful city stands where two smaller ones once were. Rusty loves this next part: Hungary has one of the oldest and hottest thermal spring systems in Europe, with more than a thousand natural hot springs bubbling up across the country. Hungarians have been soaking in these warm mineral baths for hundreds of years! The Hungarian language is also famously tricky — it sounds like almost nothing else in Europe, which makes it quite an adventure to learn even a few words.

What is school like for kids in Hungary?

In Hungary, kids usually start school around age six and study subjects like math, Hungarian language, history, and science — pretty similar to what many kids around the world learn! School is taken seriously there, and students often have longer school days than kids in some other countries. Hungary has a long tradition of strong education, and the country has produced some very well-known mathematicians and scientists over the years. Most schools in Hungary are run by the government, but there are also some Christian schools where kids can learn about God alongside their regular subjects — and that is something to be glad about! The Hungarian language itself is quite tricky to learn, with long words and a grammar system very different from English. Pray that children in Hungarian schools would hear the good news about Jesus, whether at a Christian school, from a neighbor, or from a missionary, and that the gospel would take deep root in their hearts.

Who are the unreached people in Hungary?

Hungary is in the heart of Europe, and most Hungarians have heard the name of Jesus — but there are some groups living there who have had very little chance to hear the real gospel. The Roma people, sometimes called Gypsies, are one of the largest unreached groups in Hungary. Many Roma communities face hard poverty and have been pushed to the edges of society for a long time, and most have never had a close friend who told them clearly that Jesus loves them and died for them. There are also small communities of Muslims and Jewish people in Hungary who need to hear that Jesus is the promised Savior. Herman and Rusty think it is worth praying that Hungarian Christians will cross the street — and sometimes cross a lot of fear — to share the good news with their Roma neighbors and others who have not yet trusted Jesus. God is already at work among the Roma people across Europe, and some Roma churches have grown strong. That is a real sign of hope.

How can I pray for the people of Hungary?

Hungary is a country in the heart of Europe with a long history tied to Christianity — there are old churches on nearly every street corner. But having church buildings does not always mean people have a real, living faith in Jesus. Many Hungarians today do not know Him personally, and that is worth praying about. Here are some good things to bring to God for Hungary: Pray that Hungarian people would hear the true gospel and put their trust in Jesus as their Savior. Pray for Hungarian churches to grow strong and faithful, and for local Christian leaders to rise up and guide their communities well. Pray for missionaries working there to have open doors and courage to share the good news. And pray for Hungarian children and families to come to know Jesus — that He would be real and close to them, not just a name from history.

What is a holiday or celebration in Hungary?

One of the biggest celebrations in Hungary is called Saint Stephen's Day, held every August 20th. It honors King Stephen I, who became Hungary's first Christian king over a thousand years ago and helped bring the Christian faith to the Hungarian people. There are fireworks over the Danube River, folk dancing, and a special procession carrying a relic said to be from Saint Stephen himself. Hungarians also celebrate Easter with real joy and some unique traditions. One old custom is called 'sprinkling' — boys visit the homes of girls and sprinkle them with water or perfume, which is said to bring good health. Families go to church, eat lamb and decorated eggs, and remember that Jesus rose from the dead. For Hungarian Christians, Easter is not just a tradition but the heart of what they believe.

What language do people speak in Hungary?

People in Hungary speak Hungarian, which is one of the most unusual languages in all of Europe. It is not related to German, French, or most other European languages — instead, it belongs to a small language family that includes Finnish and Estonian. Hungarian has some really tricky sounds and very long words. For example, the word for 'thank you' is *köszönöm* — try saying that! The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Hungarian for hundreds of years, so people there can read about Jesus in their own heart language.

What's a famous place to visit in Hungary?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Hungary is Budapest, the capital city. It sits right along the Danube River, and the city is actually split into two sides — Buda on one side and Pest on the other — connected by beautiful old bridges. Rusty's favorite spot there is Buda Castle, a grand fortress sitting high on a hill overlooking the whole city. Inside the castle district, the streets are made of old cobblestones and the buildings have stood for hundreds of years. Hungary has a long history, and walking through Budapest feels like stepping back through centuries of stories — including stories of how God's Word has survived and spread even through very hard times in this part of Europe.

Hungary — Kids Missions Explorer

Hungarian Grey Cattle

This ancient breed with long, lyre-shaped horns has been raised on the Hungarian plains for over a thousand years and once supplied beef to much of Europe.

Great Bustard

The great bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, and Hungary's wide grasslands called the Puszta are one of its last strongholds in Europe.

European Ground Squirrel

This small, spotted squirrel lives in colonies on Hungary's open plains and spends the cold months in a deep sleep underground called hibernation.

Goulash

A hearty stew of beef, onions, and bright red paprika, goulash has been warming Hungarian families since cattle herders first cooked it over open fires on the plains.

Lángos

Deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, lángos is a beloved street food you can find at markets and fairs all across Hungary.

Kürtőskalács

This spiral pastry is baked on a rotating spit over hot coals until the outside is crisp and caramelized, then dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Hungary

Things you should know about Hungary

Wildlife you might meet

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Life in Hungary

Missions in Hungary

Pray for Hungary