An exhibition and symposium were organized in Kütahya as part of the ‘Turkey-Hungary Culture Year’.

Kütahya Dumlupınar University hosted the Turkish-Hungarian Artists’ Works Exhibition and the International Symposium on the 100th Anniversary of Turkish-Hungarian Relations as part of the 2024 Turkey-Hungary Culture Year events.

The events organized under the auspices of the DPÜ Rectorate began with the opening of the exhibition titled “Works of Turkish-Hungarian Artists” in the Foyer Area. The exhibition featured various works and was attended by Hungary’s Ambassador to Ankara Viktor Matis, Rector Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Özer Aydın and Prof. Dr. Ayhan Kahraman, Kütahya Provincial Police Chief Osman Elbir, Kütahya Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Vedat Kültür, Hungary’s Honorary Consul in Kütahya İsmet Güral, local protocol members, academic and administrative staff, and guests.

Following the opening of the exhibition, the International Symposium on the 100th Anniversary of Turkish-Hungarian Relations began in the Red Hall with a moment of silence, followed by the reading of the National Anthem of Turkey and the Hungarian national anthem. In his opening speech at the symposium, Rector Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak spoke about the milestones in the friendship between the Turkish and Hungarian peoples, dedicating a special place to the works of Tökeli İmre, Ferenc Rakoczi, and Lajos Kossuth during their time in Kütahya and their contributions to the Turkish language.

“If we keep the Turkish-Hungarian friendship alive, we can bring peace to the world”

Prof. Dr. Kızıltoprak also mentioned the contributions made by Hungary during the early years of the republic, stating, “All of Hungary’s ambassadors to Ankara, including Mr. Viktor Matis, whom we host today, have made significant contributions to Turkish-Hungarian friendship. If we keep the Turkish-Hungarian friendship alive, we can bring peace to the world.”

At the end of his speech, the Rector thanked the Hungarian Embassy in Ankara, Honorary Consul İsmet Güral, the Turkish Historical Society, and TIKA for their contributions to the organization of the symposium.

Ismet Güral reminded that the Turkish and Hungarian peoples used to live together in the past and narrated the process of the sister university relationship between DPÜ and Pecs University.

Ambassador Viktor Matis began his speech by expressing his happiness at visiting Kütahya for the third time, saying, “This city is a beautiful place where the memories of Hungarians live.” Matis noted that during Lajos Kossuth’s time in Kütahya, he became a symbol of freedom worldwide, stating, “It is very important for us Hungarians to preserve his memories. We are very happy that Kütahya has maintained and embraced our memories until today. As part of the 2024 Turkey-Hungary Culture Year, 130 events have been organized until mid-November, which means 2-3 events per week.”

“I was very impressed by the exhibition and the topics of the symposium”

Ambassador Matis particularly emphasized DPÜ in his speech, stating, “Kütahya Dumlupınar University is very important for us. It is not just because it is a sister university with Pécs University. The students and academics of this university have a great sympathy for Hungary. We are also very pleased about this.”

“I was very impressed by the exhibition and the topics of the symposium. There are very interesting studies. I thank all the academics who contributed,” Matis concluded his speech by expressing gratitude to Rector Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak and Honorary Consul İsmet Güral for their contributions to the organization of the symposium and the exhibition.

During the symposium, a musical performance reflecting the melodies of both countries was held. In the opening session moderated by Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, Prof. Dr. Eva Csaki presented on “Turkish Traces in Hungarian Folk Literature,” Dr. Szabolcs Hadngay discussed “The Ottoman Campaign to Transylvania,” Gaspar Katko spoke on “The Principality of Transylvania and Kantemir Mirza,” and Prof. Dr. Emine Dingeç presented on “The Reflection of the Visual Symbols of the Ottoman Sultans’ Concept of World State on the Holy Hungarian Crown.”