Tibor Bárány: Great Hungarian Scandal Stories

The article discusses three recent controversies in Hungary regarding literature and music. In 2014 and 2017, critics demanded the withdrawal of a literature textbook due to a poem by Dániel Varró, claiming it encouraged dangerous activities among children. In 2020, Dóra Dúró symbolically destroyed a copy of a book, arguing it promoted 'homosexual propaganda' that corrupted youth morals. By 2026, a civil campaign emerged against sexist content in Hungarian pop music, particularly targeting songs that objectify women. While the first two cases reflect extreme reactions to perceived threats to morality, the campaign against sexist music has garnered broader support, highlighting a shift in societal attitudes towards harmful stereotypes in popular culture.