Budapest Fellowship Program – Discover Transylvania

by | Feb 3, 2025 | Budapest Fellowship Program, News

Budapest Fellowship Participants of 2024/25 on their Discover Transylvania Trip

 

January 15-20, Budapest Fellowship Program participants embarked on a study trip to Transylvania. During the six-day journey, the fellows explored Marosvásárhely (Târgu Mureș), a city known for its vibrant Hungarian cultural heritage, stunning Secessionist architecture, the iconic Teleki-Bolyai Library, which houses one of the most significant collections of Hungarian literature and the Palace of Culture.

Beyond the cultural programs, professional meetings were also an essential part of the trip. In Marosvásárhely, the fellows met with politicians representing the Hungarian minority, such as Levente Kovács Mihály, Deputy Mayor of Marosvásárhely. Csenge Frunda, the local councilor responsible for youth affairs, actively engaged in local governance. Róbert-Zsolt Kovács, county councilor responsible for youth affairs, who focuses on policies and initiatives that support and empower young people in the region. They engaged in thought-provoking conversations on the success of local elections and the importance of the parliamentary elections for the organization.

“Our trip to Transylvania was cultural immersion in the best sense: incredible hospitality, delicious food, wonderful music, beautiful architecture, and stunning landscape. I especially loved the old-world beauty of Segesvár and Torockó. Seeing the stained-glass windows representing different Hungarian folk tales in the palace of culture in Marosvásárhely was also a highlight!”  – Evelyn Whitehead, Budapest Fellow 2024/25

Next, they visited Segesvár (Sighișoara), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds deep significance for the Hungarians as the site of the Battle of Segesvár in 1849, where the renowned Hungarian poet and national hero, Sándor Petőfi, is believed to have fallen during the Hungarian Revolution.

Continuing their journey, the fellows arrived in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca), the largest city in Transylvania and a vital center of Hungarian intellectual and cultural life. They explored the historic city center, including the birthplace of King Matthias I Corvinus, one of Hungary’s most influential rulers, and the Gothic-style St. Michael’s Church, the second-largest church in Transylvania and a key hub for preserving Hungarian heritage in Kolozsvár. The group also visited the Házsongárd Cemetery, one of the most historically significant cemeteries in the region, where many prominent Hungarian figures, including poets, scientists, and politicians, are laid to rest.

“I really enjoyed seeing the Catholic and Orthodox churches and seeing the Transylvanian landscape.”  – Daniel Whitehead, Budapest Fellow 2024/25

The fellows also had the opportunity to visit the picturesque village of Torockó (Rimetea), famous for its whitewashed houses and unique tradition of sunlight “rising twice” due to the surrounding mountains. Additionally, they explored the Turda Salt Mines, a breathtaking underground marvel where centuries of salt extraction have shaped a surreal, cathedral-like environment.

Beyond sightseeing, the fellows engaged in cultural immersion activities, including an interactive cooking class where they prepared traditional Transylvanian dishes, thanks to Chef Sándor Berke for the unforgettable cooking experience. Furthermore, they also visited Hungarian music-filled bars, where they experienced the region’s vibrant folk traditions firsthand, deepening their connection to the rich heritage of Transylvania.

We would like to express our gratitude to the colleagues of MCC Kolozsvár for making all these exciting programs possible, especially to Tekla Demeter, Head of MCC Transylvania International Team, and István Péter, MCC Transylvania International Team Member. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our guides István Jeremiás, Dávid Sípos, and Attila Hunyadi, as well as Farkas Bánffy for talking about his role in preserving the architectural and cultural legacy of Transylvania.

“I found our time in Transylvania highly insightful and was especially interested to learn about the unique challenges faced by the Hungarians living there. Despite the tenuous nature of their relationship with the Romanian state, it was encouraging to see the Hungarian-speaking community’s resilience manifest through their engagement with the MCC’s regional center. I most enjoyed our visit to the salt mines, meeting with local government officials, and our group’s architectural tour of Kolozsvár’s old town.”  – Charles Yockey, Budapest Fellow 2024/25

 

 

 

 

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