Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) hosted a meaningful event highlighting the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries. The exhibition and conference titled “Turkish-Hungarian Relations: A Hospitable State” were held at Doç. Dr. Ali Arslan Conference Hall on BEUN Farabi Campus.
The Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Viktor Mátis, BEUN Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, academic and administrative staff, and many students attended the event, which began with a photography exhibition tour guided by Áron Sipos, Director of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center, and Deputy Director Gergő Kovács. The exhibition, which depicted aspects of Hungarian history and focused on the theme of hospitality, attracted great attention. Following the tour, Rector Prof. Dr. Özölçer presented Áron Sipos and Gergő Kovács with certificates of appreciation and plaques. The opening speeches were delivered after the national anthems of both countries were performed.
BEUN Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu highlighted the historical significance of Turkish-Hungarian relations and said:
“The friendship between the peoples of Hungary and Türkiye is built on strong historical, cultural, and educational ties. This friendship extends from migratory routes and battlefields to the imperial era and academic platforms. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we consider it our responsibility to preserve the cultural dimension of this multifaceted relationship and share this heritage with younger generations. With this in mind, I would like to express my gratitude to the Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Viktor Mátis, and everyone who contributed to this event.”
Ambassador Viktor Mátis then delivered his opening speech, stating: “Hungary and Türkiye are two friendly nations sharing many common traits. Our relations, which began after 1989, reached the level of a strategic partnership in 2013. Strengthened further in 2021, they gained new momentum in 2024, which was declared the ‘Turkish-Hungarian Culture Year.’ We cooperate in many areas, from education and industry to culture and tourism, and both countries are taking strong steps toward the future within this partnership. I am glad to be here in Zonguldak, at one of Türkiye’s most well-established universities, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. I extend my sincere thanks to the entire BEUN family, particularly Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer.”
Following Mátis’s speech, Prof. Dr. Yücel Namal, a faculty member of the Department of History at the Teoman Duralı Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasized the strong relations between the two nations and said:
“Sharing many common values and a common destiny, the Turkish and Hungarian nations are brother nations, as Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stated. This brotherhood does not only belong to the past but continues today through cultural and academic collaborations. I would like to express my gratitude to our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Ambassador Viktor Mátis, who shared valuable insights on Turkish-Hungarian relations, and to Áron Sipos and Gergő Kovács from the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center.”
The event concluded with a commemorative photo session.
