Helsinki Commemorates Sándor Kőrösi Csoma

In March, the Liszt Institute Helsinki hosted a variety of Hungarian cultural programs for those interested in the Hungarian culture. The institute paid tribute to Sándor Kőrösi Csoma with an exhibition and a lecture, while Zoltán Kodály was celebrated with a week-long concert series. Hungary’s cultural reputation was further strengthened through a Rubik’s Cube speedcubing competition aimed at engaging young people and an exhibition by ZEMA Porcelain and Jewelry House, promoting Hungarian porcelain jewelry.

On February 27, Ferenc Deák delivered a Hungarian-language travel presentation filled with photographs, recounting Sándor Kőrösi Csoma’s journey through the Himalayas—a journey the presenter recently retraced with his wife. The lecture, held at the Liszt Institute Helsinki, was followed by an engaging and personal discussion. Attendees then viewed a graphic exhibition commissioned by the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Memorial Committee, displayed in the institute’s U-Gallery. The "Pilgrim Scholar – Alexander Csoma de Kőrös 1784–1842" exhibition was originally created in 1984 to mark the 200th anniversary of the scholar’s birth. The exhibition featured artworks by Márta Hegyi, György Kacsán, József Wieszt, Zoltán Kemény, and Antal Hegyi, created using various engraving techniques, heliogravure, hand engraving, unique coloring, and hand intaglio printing. The exhibition was open to visitors at the institute until mid-March.

"Music belongs to everyone." – This famous quote by Zoltán Kodály served as the motto of the International Kodály Week, first organized in 1989 at the East Helsinki Music School on the initiative of Csaba Szilvay, a Hungarian music teacher living in Finland. The festive Kodály Week, held from March 3-8, featured a series of events showcasing the achievements of music education based on the Kodály Method. Alongside traditional evening concerts, performances by music students in libraries, schools, and social institutions demonstrated that music truly belongs to everyone. The opening concert of Kodály Week was once again hosted at the Liszt Institute this year. At the "Farewell to Winter" („Télbúcsúztató”) concert, 15 students from the East Helsinki, Espoo, and Lauttasaari Music Schools performed, captivating the audience with their talent. Other concerts throughout the city also received overwhelmingly positive responses in Finland.

From March 22-23, the Liszt Institute Helsinki, in collaboration with the Finnish Speedcubing Association, hosted an official Rubik’s Cube speedcubing competition. Over two days, competitors could participate in various categories, including the 3x3x3 cube, blindfold solving, one-handed solving, Pyraminx, 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 cubes, and the Rubik’s Clock, drawing a significant number of participants.

On March 27, the ZEMA Porcelain and Jewelry House opened its exhibition "Art and Tradition in Fashion" („Művészet és tradíció a divatban”) at the Hungarian Cultural Institute Helsinki. The exhibition was inaugurated by Erzsébet Papp, ZEMA’s creative director, and included a jewelry showcase. As a family business, ZEMA designs and handcrafts all its jewelry, blending Hungarian porcelain traditions with modern design, while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. In 2021, ZEMA was awarded the title of "Outstanding National Value." The brand has also been featured at major international events, including London, New York, and Paris Fashion Weeks, the Bijorcha Paris exhibition, and fashion shows in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Azerbaijan, Amman, Riga, Tallinn, Manila, Beijing, and Lisbon. On March 28, ZEMA hosted an interactive workshop, where participants could design their own jewelry by decorating ready-made porcelain bases while learning about porcelain manufacturing and jewelry design.