The Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade Kicks Off the New Year with an Eventful Start After a Packed Year-End Program
The Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade bid farewell to the previous year with a vibrant cultural program and kicked off the new year actively. Throughout December and January, the Belgrade audience enjoyed a variety of events, including film screenings, exhibitions, dance performances, and musical evenings, all while celebrating Hungarian Culture Day in a fitting manner.
As part of the Collegium Hungaricum's film club, the Hungarian drama Those Who Remained was screened. The film portrays the moving story of a small girl and a middle-aged man who form an unbreakable friendship in postwar Hungary. The emotionally charged story drew a full house to the institute's library hall, where organizers welcomed attendees with snacks and refreshments. The crowd was mostly Serbian, with many recognizable faces among the returning visitors. The film left a deep impression, sparking long discussions among the attendees.
The Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade also presented the Smart Hungary exhibition, organized by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in the atrium of the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Forestry. According to faculty members, the exhibition delivered relevant and engaging content for students, showcasing Hungary’s potential in innovation. Among the interactive elements, exhibits on recycling and alternative uses of organic materials were particularly well received.
As part of the EU Presidency cultural program series, the Hungarian cultural institute, in collaboration with the Belgrade International Theatre Festival, hosted a performance of Boys by the Frenák Company. This acrobatic, theatrical, and movement-based production explored modern male roles from an ironic, parodic, and occasionally realistic standpoint. The show's success was clear, as many audience members stayed afterward to speak with the performers. Due to the strong interest, the BITEF Theatre’s director requested that the production return to Belgrade for the next year's BITEF Festival.
The closing event of the Belgrade Hungarian EU Presidency cultural series was a concert by Magyar Banda at the BITEF Theatre, attended by numerous ambassadors, diplomats, and cultural figures. The event was launched by the institute's director, Róbert Kaszab, and Ambassador József Magyar, who reflected on the successful programs of the previous months.
During the concert, Béla Szerényi Jr. performed traditional melodies on various Hungarian folk instruments, captivating the audience. The evening ended with a reception sponsored by the Hungarian embassy.
On January 22, 2025, the Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade once again organized its traditional quiz night in honor of Hungarian Culture Day. Seven four-member teams competed in questions about Hungarian and Serbian culture. The event was led by Róbert Kaszab, and the game was conducted in both Hungarian and Serbian, offering a great opportunity for language learners as well. The winning team took home a bottle of Hungarian sparkling wine as a prize.
