Dariush, 21 years old: “Budapest is a romantic city. When the evening comes and the lights glitter along the Danube, it is so beautiful that you just want to watch it for hours.”

“One day I will show it to my mother. Until that day comes, I will show it to many tourists who might also fall for it.”

“I love this city also because I can walk freely, do whatever I want and sit down anywhere to think about my future. I come from a small village in Afghanistan, but Budapest is my home now and I feel that its success is my responsibilty too.”

“We should take care of Budapest. We need to keep her clean and always travel with a ticket or a pass. Maybe we could create some more green spaces.”

A native of Afghanistan’s Ghazni area, Dariush was 12 years old when armed men murdered his father, an ethnic Hazara. Dariush and his mother fled to Iran but found limited opportunities there. They realized that the young boy’s only hope would be to seek a life elsewhere.

His six-month meandering quest for safety ended when policemen caught Dariush trying to cross into Hungary. Then a journey of a different sort began.

After gaining legal protection status, Dariush lived in an institution in Fót, where Hungary houses and educates unaccompanied children. He overcame intense loneliness, mastered the difficult Hungarian language, and later graduated from high school. His new school friends and Hungarian teachers proved a great help.

“That is where I met the works of Sándor Petőfi, who writes so clearly and passionately,” he says. “Because I sing and play the guitar, I am very much interested in Hungarian romantic poems.”

Dariush has since taken steps towards building a career in tourism. He also participates in educational seminars about refugees and – with his beloved guitar – often entertains the children at the Fót centre, his alma mater. These days he’s considering applying for Hungarian citizenship.

„This country gave me safety, freedom and people accept me. I am very much into Hungary,” he says.

Refugees. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Share their stories.