On July 4, the book launch of Xantus and/és Borneo took place in Singapore, co-organized by the Embassy of Hungary in Singapore, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), and Sunway University Press. The presentation of the publication provided a valuable opportunity to pay tribute to the whole ouvre of János Xantus, Hungarian scientist and explorer born 200 years ago, whose work continues to influence scientific and cultural discourse between the two nations to this day.
The ASEF auditorium, which hosted the event, was filled to capacity with an international audience. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Zhang Lei, Deputy Executive Director of ASEF, and Ambassador Judit Pach. Their speeches highlighted Xantus’ role in the 19th-century scientific discoveries – particularly in documenting the geography of Asia and North America – and his contribution to Hungarian cultural heritage.
The authors of the book - Hungarian researchers Tamás Kiss and Balázs Venkovits, along with British historian Christopher Higgs – recounted Xantus’ journey through Southeast Asia, particularly focusing on his time in Borneo. The well-illustrated presentation offered insights into the era’s expeditions, exploring both the challenges and triumphs of travel driven by scientific curiosity.
The programme continued with a panel discussion and audience Q&A. This provided a forum to reflect on Xantus’ life and work, as well as the contemporary dilemmas of knowledge sharing. The event concluded with a book signing.
