Carlos the Jackal and Socialist Spycraft in 1980s Budapest

Budapest before the fall of Communism was not only a collection of socialist blocks of flats, restaurants for West German tourists, and the annual May 1 parade. One of the most laid-back capital cities of the Soviet Bloc was also the centre of many secret and not-so-secret operations that helped Moscow’s pawns across the Third World fight the West. Guerrillas, terrorists, and other radicals were supplied with weapons, money, enjoyed the healthcare of the Honvéd hospital, or simply had a good time vacationing in the city and its vicinity. But what did the everyday reality of these operations look like? Adam LeBor and Dániel Farkas spent months wading through diplomatic correspondence and the literature on the topic to offer one of the first English-language summaries, with some new revelations. With the help of Gavin Haynes, Dániel Farkas will discuss one of the most celebrated cases of this period at the event, the roughly six-year stay of Ilich “Carlos” Ramírez Sánchez, called by the Western press “The Jackal” in Budapest between 1979 and 1985.

What was the hard-currency nightlife that the Jackal enjoyed? Where did he live? How did the archenemy of the Soviet Bloc, the United States, perceived all this? All of these questions and more will be addressed at the event.

Details: 

Date & time: Thursday, 16 April, 2026, 5:30 P.M.
Venue: Lónyay-Hatvany Villa, 1 Csónak Street, 1015 Budapest (Entrance: Aranybástya Restaurant)
Gate opens at 5:00 P.M.
Language: English

Participation is free; however, due to limited seating, pre-registration is required by clicking the button below.