On October 18th, the Wacław Felczak Institute of Polish-Hungarian Cooperation officially renewed its cooperation agreement with the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Thanks to this agreement, more students and staff of this university can learn the Hungarian language completely free of charge as part of a course organized and funded by the Felczak Institute.

Dr. Damian Kaleta from the Department of Hungarian Studies at the University of Warsaw introduces students and staff of the Lublin university to the secrets of the native language of the poet Sándor Petőfi (one of the greatest Hungarian poets, the Hungarian equivalent of Polish Adam Mickiewicz and a revolutionary who symbolized the Hungarian desire for freedom). Photo by AB

The Wacław Felczak Polish-Hungarian Cooperation Institute, established in 2018, is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich heritage and traditions of Poland and Hungary. Its primary objectives encompass fostering a deeper understanding of both nations, advocating for language acquisition, and promoting cultural exchange. Furthermore, the institute aims to encourage collaboration between Polish and Hungarian youth and advance cooperation in various domains, including academia, education, culture, economics, and sports, to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Thanks to the free classes, students and staff of the Catholic University of Lublin can join the elite group of people who speak the Hungarian language (it is estimated that there are between 14 to 17 million speakers worldwide)

The Hungarian language course, funded by the Felczak Institute, was first organized at KUL during the summer semester. At that time, over 70 people learned the language of our Hungarian brethren. This year, the course is also receiving significant interest," notes Agnieszka Barátka, the deputy director of the Felczak Institute.

Learning the first letters in the Hungarian language. Fortunately, Hungarians also use the Latin alphabet. Photo by AB

Our classes are a great way to learn an 'exotic' language. You can treat them as a hobby, a way to expand your qualifications, or a path to gaining a practical tool that significantly facilitates scientific contacts in the field of conducted research.

(J)