He was a Hungarian intellectual, journalist, dissident, and humanist. Born in Budapest, he opposed the communist regime and co-founded the Hungarian Democratic Forum, which he led for some time. After that he dedicated himself to academic work and teaching.
He was a strong advocate of the Central European idea. He identified with the generation of Hungarians shaped by the 1956 revolution, believing that only solidarity among the region’s nations could deliver them from political oppression. He was deeply familiar with Polish literature, writing about Herbert, Miłosz, and Vincenz.
In his final years, he viewed the future of Central Europe with caution, warning against a blending of national pride and self-doubt. Nonetheless, he remained committed to dialogue and cooperation, especially in Polish-Hungarian relations.
Until the end, he remained intellectually active.
He died at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy rooted in solidarity and deep reflection on the fate of the region.