{"id":16564,"date":"2026-01-27T09:07:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T08:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diasporascholarship.hu\/?post_type=portfolio&p=16564"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T12:00:21","slug":"christmas-messages-that-cross-borders","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/diasporascholarship.hu\/en\/news\/christmas-messages-that-cross-borders\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Messages That Cross Borders"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

\"Diaspora<\/p>\n

\u00c1d\u00e1m Imre Sz\u0171cs, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, spoke about the symbolism of Andr\u00e1ssy Avenue: its festive lights set the tone for the season, but the grand boulevard also recalls Hungary\u2019s flourishing years at the turn of the century. He emphasised that the scholarship programme is \u201cnot just an academic opportunity, but the experience of belonging to a larger family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"speech<\/p>\n

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. \u201cEach of us carries something of this heritage<\/em>,\u201d he said, adding that the programme helps students experience it naturally \u2013 through community, language and friendships.<\/p>\n

\"speech<\/p>\n

The evening continued with the presentation of excellence awards by the distinguished guests. The Student Excellence Award<\/strong> honours scholarship holders studying in English who have achieved outstanding academic results and contributed to strengthening the diaspora community. The Hungarian Language Excellence Award<\/strong> 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<\/strong> was presented to students who actively participate in community life, regularly attend events and help foster connections among peers.<\/p>\n

\"group<\/p>\n

2025 Excellence Award Recipients<\/strong><\/p>\n

Student Excellence Award:<\/strong>
\nG\u00e1bor Sz\u00e1sz Klepacz<\/em> \u2013 E\u00f6tv\u00f6s Lor\u00e1nd University<\/p>\n

Hungarian Language Excellence Award:<\/strong>
\nTam\u00e1s Kenneth Tottszer<\/em> \u2013 Budapest University of Technology and Economics
\nVlada Volkova<\/em> \u2013 Hungarian University of Fine Arts<\/p>\n

Diaspora Community Impact Award:<\/strong>
\nJonatan Radzik Agost<\/em> \u2013 E\u00f6tv\u00f6s Lor\u00e1nd University
\nEmese Kiss<\/em> \u2013 University of P\u00e9cs
\nGabriela de Oliveira Pontes<\/em> \u2013 University of P\u00e9cs
\nLaura Leiti<\/em> \u2013 Semmelweis University
\nNatasha Pamela Oropeza Rak\u00f3<\/em> \u2013 Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
\nTatj\u00e1na Szuszla<\/em> \u2013 Hungarian University of Fine Arts
\nVictoria Leiti<\/em> \u2013 Semmelweis University
\nYan Cunha De Sousa Almeida<\/em> \u2013 Budapest University of Technology and Economics
\nZs\u00f3fia Drencs\u00e1n<\/em> \u2013 E\u00f6tv\u00f6s Lor\u00e1nd University<\/p>\n

The evening closed with a festive dinner, where the students could taste the diaspora Christmas beer, Roots<\/strong>, made by their fellow scholarship holders. More than an end-of-year gathering, the event was a celebration of heritage and community \u2013 and a reminder that even in a digital age, a handwritten card can still carry the magic of Christmas, connecting hearts across borders.<\/p>\n

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