Highlights of Hungary, a national initiative that honours the outstanding achievements of Hungarians in all walks of life, is entering its 12th season. To officially launch the new season, a celebratory event was held at the HAB Hungarian Art and Business gallery in Budapest, Hungary on 28 March. Highlights of Hungary is sponsored by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium.
Managing Director of Highlights of Hungary Marianna Csehi greeted the audience with some brief remarks. She stated that ever since she took on the leadership of the project, she cannot help but run into outstanding Hungarian talent everywhere she goes. As she recanted, even her priest in the confessional booth gave her recommendations.
She then explained that, just like the years before, the five ambassadors picked by Highlights of Hungary will nominate candidates this season as well. In order for someone to be awarded at the end of the season, all five ambassadors need to consent.
This year, retired Olympic bronze medalist swimmer Boglárka Kapás, actor Márk Ember, television host Marcsi Borbás, paramedic and pediatric surgeon Dr Róbert Kőnig, and bakery chain owner Szabolcs Szabadfi will be serving as ambassadors.
Ms Csehi also reminded all that the Highlights of Hungary project’s official book, Inspiráló Magyarok (Inspiring Hungarians) was published last year as well.
Then, two of this year’s ambassadors, Mr Ember and Mr Szabadfi joined the director on stage. Mr Ember declared that ‘we cannot talk enough about things that make us all happy,’ referring to outstanding achievements by our fellow Hungarians. He also stated that searching for local talents is not just a passing passion, but a continuous duty for us all.
When Mr Szabadfi was asked about his own success, he replied: ‘it is amazing how far one can go from the housing complex of Kőszeg,’ the small town on the Western border of Hungary where he grew up. He also told the audience that ‘there is not much separating the stupid from the brave,’ and joked that he is still not sure where he falls of the two. He also stressed that while has been knocked to the ground ‘at least 25 times’, he always got up, as there is no obstacle that he cannot find a way to overcome.
When Mr Ember was asked about the tough times of his career, he answered that ‘in times when I feel like life is depriving me of something, I always choose to give something else to others.’ He brought up the time when he invited school teachers for free to one of his stage performances as an act of charity.
After the discussion with two of the ambassadors, Ms Csehi took back the floor, and announced that this year’s Highlights of Hungary award show will be held on 30 October; while the nomination process will end at the end of April.
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