<pIn his essay, Richard Anderson (University of Edinburgh) examines the significance and historical context of the First National Congress of Hungarian Architects, held in 1951, with particular emphasis on how the event positioned itself in relation to CIAM (International Congresses of Modern Architecture). By reviewing the key milestones leading up to the congress and exploring its broader importance, the author argues why it is worthwhile to better understand the functioning of architectural networks within the socialist states.</p