Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University hosted another significant program contributing to the long-standing friendship and cultural cooperation between Türkiye and Hungary. As part of the promotional event for the book “Antal Bartus: Türk-Macar Teknik İş Birliğinin Biyografik Portresi” (Antal Bartus: A Biographical Portrait of Turkish-Hungarian Technical Cooperation), the Ambassador of Hungary to Ankara, Viktor Mátis, and the Director of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center, Áron Sipos, visited the Rector of BEUN, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, in his office.
The meeting, held at the Rectorate, was attended by the Ambassador of Hungary to Ankara, Viktor Mátis; the Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer; Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu; Head of the Department of History at BEUN, Prof. Dr. Yücel Namal; and the Director of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center, Áron Sipos.
“Antal Bartus: A Biographical Portrait of Turkish-Hungarian Technical Cooperation” Introduced at BEUN
The Hungarian delegation came to Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University within the scope of the promotional event for the book “Antal Bartus: Türk-Macar Teknik İş Birliğinin Biyografik Portresi” (Antal Bartus: A Biographical Portrait of Turkish-Hungarian Technical Cooperation), prepared by Prof. Dr. Yücel Namal, Head of the Department of History at BEUN Teoman Duralı Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The event was held at the Doç. Dr. Ali Arslan Conference Hall. During the meeting, evaluations were made regarding the life and works of the Hungarian engineer Antal Bartus, who undertook important duties during Türkiye’s industrialization process. It was stated that Bartus served as a technical expert in the construction and operation processes of the Çatalağzı Thermal Power Plant and also made significant contributions to the construction of many ministry buildings in Ankara. It was emphasized that the life story of Antal Bartus stands as a strong symbol of Turkish-Hungarian friendship as well as technical and cultural cooperation.
Rector Özölçer: “Turkish-Hungarian Friendship Is a Valuable Bridge of Civilization Carried from the Past into the Future”
Making evaluations within the scope of the program, the Rector of BEUN, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, stated that the historical ties between Türkiye and Hungary are not limited solely to diplomatic relations, but are also strengthened through a shared understanding of culture, friendship, and science. He expressed the following remarks:
“The exhibition and conference program titled ‘Hungarians in the Early Years of the Republic of Türkiye,’ which we organized at our University in 2024, and the exhibition and conference program titled ‘Turkish-Hungarian Relations: A Hospitable State,’ which we held in 2025, have become important platforms where the deep-rooted friendship between our countries meets on academic and cultural grounds. In addition, the Turkish-Hungarian Friendship Park, inaugurated in the Çatalağzı district of our city with the valuable support of His Excellency the Ambassador, is also of great significance. The work introduced today is a highly valuable study that carries Turkish-Hungarian friendship, cooperation, and a shared understanding of civilization to future generations. I wholeheartedly thank our esteemed professor, Prof. Dr. Yücel Namal, who meticulously researched the life of Antal Bartus and brought this work into the academic world. This work produced by our professor makes significant contributions to our historical and cultural memory. Indeed, universities are centers of knowledge and civilization that build bridges of goodwill among nations. I hope that scientific and cultural cooperation with the Turkic world will continue to increase further. With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to express my gratitude to the Ambassador of Hungary to Ankara, Viktor Mátis, and the Director of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center, Áron Sipos, for their kind visit, and I wish them health, happiness, and success in their distinguished duties.”
The visit concluded with a commemorative photo session following the evaluations.
