The afternoon began with a Christmas card-making workshop, reviving a tradition that deserves a comeback. For generations, handwritten cards were among the most personal ways to send warm wishes to loved ones far away. Participants created their own cards, which the Foundation delivered during the holidays, ensuring that this tradition lives on in an age of instant messaging. After the creative session came the communal ritual of decorating the Diaspora Christmas tree, followed by the arrival of distinguished guests and the start of the formal programme.
Ádám Imre Szűcs, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, spoke about the symbolism of Andrássy Avenue: its festive lights set the tone for the season, but the grand boulevard also recalls Hungary’s flourishing years at the turn of the century. He emphasised that the scholarship programme is “not just an academic opportunity, but the experience of belonging to a larger family.”
Richard Bodrogi, General Director of the Tempus Public Foundation, reflected on the essence of Hungarian identity: hospitality, inventive thinking, a love of freedom, and national pride expressed through language, culture and cuisine. “Each of us carries something of this heritage,” he said, adding that the programme helps students experience it naturally – through community, language and friendships.
The evening continued with the presentation of excellence awards by the distinguished guests. The Student Excellence Award honours scholarship holders studying in English who have achieved outstanding academic results and contributed to strengthening the diaspora community. The Hungarian Language Excellence Award highlights the role of the language in the programme, recognising students who study in Hungarian and excel both academically and in community building. For the first time, the Diaspora Community Impact Award was presented to students who actively participate in community life, regularly attend events and help foster connections among peers.
2025 Excellence Award Recipients
Student Excellence Award:
Gábor Szász Klepacz – Eötvös Loránd University
Hungarian Language Excellence Award:
Tamás Kenneth Tottszer – Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Vlada Volkova – Hungarian University of Fine Arts
Diaspora Community Impact Award:
Jonatan Radzik Agost – Eötvös Loránd University
Emese Kiss – University of Pécs
Gabriela de Oliveira Pontes – University of Pécs
Laura Leiti – Semmelweis University
Natasha Pamela Oropeza Rakó – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Tatjána Szuszla – Hungarian University of Fine Arts
Victoria Leiti – Semmelweis University
Yan Cunha De Sousa Almeida – Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Zsófia Drencsán – Eötvös Loránd University
The evening closed with a festive dinner, where the students could taste the diaspora Christmas beer, Roots, made by their fellow scholarship holders. More than an end-of-year gathering, the event was a celebration of heritage and community – and a reminder that even in a digital age, a handwritten card can still carry the magic of Christmas, connecting hearts across borders.
