IX. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF HUNGARIAN STUDIES

By the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Association for Hungarian Studies the
IX. International Congress of Hungarian Studies shall
be held between 24–29 August 2026
in Miskolc and Sárospatak

The main focus of the congress:
Sources of self-awareness — changes in the image of Hungarianness

It is through self-awareness that we can interact with others and place our own values in space and time. But self-awareness is not possible without knowing others and knowing the opinions of others. This also applies to the self-awareness of communities. The cultural, political and social identity of a national community is solid only if it is linked to the image that other communities have of it. It is able to renew itself continuously only if it seeks to reconcile what others think of it with what it thinks of itself.

At the beginning of the 21st century, in a globalizing world with a changing balance of power, there is an increased need not only to continue this intercultural dialogue, but also to examine its history, to assess its successes and failures. The boundaries of cultures, languages and traditions can only be crossed if we know where they are and how they have changed throughout history.

The historical, territorial variations and changes in the image of Hungarianness, its cultural fragmentation and stratification have been the subject of systematic research in several disciplines from time to time in recent decades, but no congress of Hungarian Studies has yet chosen it as its main subject. The IX. International Congress of Hungarian Studies will attempt to do so. The major international meeting of scholars of Hungarian studies provides a remarkably valuable opportunity for a multi-perspective assessment of the different views of Hungarianness. Hungarian Studies, which has a long history, is not a science in the traditional sense, but an interdisciplinary forum of scholars from different disciplines. It is therefore its task to initiate a dialogue in the study of Hungarianness, primarily by promoting a productive exchange of ideas between the scholars of the relevant disciplines.

We welcome presentations in the following disciplines:

Cultural anthropology, ethnography, linguistics, history, literature, musicology, film and theatre studies, art history, music history, philosophy and cultural studies in a broader sense can all contribute with valid findings and interdisciplinary approaches to this increasingly relevant and timely task. We therefore welcome applications from researchers from all these disciplines and, given the nature of the topic, from scholars of the history of science and technology as well.

About the Congress venues and the host universities

Miskolc and the University of Miskolc

With a population of one and a half thousand, Miskolc is the center and the largest city of the North-Hungarian region. Previously known as the “steel town” because of its metallurgical past, the city has undergone significant changes in recent decades. In addition to the traditional heavy industry and food sectors, modern electronics, automotive and chemical companies are now playing a significant role in the city’s economy. In recent decades, it has also sought to strengthen its cultural and recreational role, with the Miskolc Cave Baths, the Diósgyőr Castle, the Palace Hotel in Lillafüred, the National Theatre of Miskolc, the Pannon Sea Museum and the Hungarian Orthodox Museum being among its main attractions. The cultural events of more recent times, like the internationally renowned Bartók Plusz Opera Festival made Miskolc the “Hungarian capital of opera”, the CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival, which has achieved a high international reputation in the film industry, made it the “Hungarian capital of film”, and the Biennale, and later Triennale, of Graphic Arts held in the Miskolc Gallery since 1961, have earned the city the title of “Hungarian capital of graphic arts”.

The University of Miskolc is an institution with a long history, which has shaped the scientific and cultural landscape of the North-Hungarian region, and even its industrial and economic image. The history of the University goes back to 1735, when the world’s first technical higher education institution, the Selmecbánya Academy of Mining and Metallurgy, was founded. Today, the university is a true universitas, with 8 faculties offering more than 300 academic programs.

Sárospatak and the University of Tokaj-Hegyalja

Sárospatak is a small town with a significant history. It is one of the 27 settlements of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (“Tokaj-Hegyalja Historic Wine Region Cultural Landscape”). It is known as a school town. Its municipal humanist (15th – 16th centuries) and Reformed schools (from 1531), its college (from 1585), the Reformed Theological Academy, the Teachers’ College (from 1857), and several other secondary schools, earned it its reputation as a school town.

Building on the foundations of the Teachers’ Training College, the University of Tokaj-Hegyalja was established in 2021 as an institution that preserves and continues the traditions of pedagogicum and is based on viticulture and winemaking. The main attractions of the town are the Rákóczi Castle, the Roman Catholic Religious Museum on the site of St. Elisabeth’s birthplace and the Scientific Collections (library, archives and museum) of the Reformed College of Sárospatak.

Practical information

The Congress will be held in the buildings of the Universities of Miskolc and Tokaj. The opening ceremony and plenary sessions will be held in the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Miskolc.

The participation fee, which includes the attendance of scientific and cultural events, receptions and publications containing the proceedings of specific sessions/symposia, is 150 Euro, for members of the International Association for Hungarian Studies 120 Euro. Detailed information on available discounts, accommodation and meals, cultural programs and excursions will be provided in the second call for papers.

The main proceedings of the Congress:

• Plenary lectures
• Section presentations
• Symposia

The official languages of the Congress:

English and Hungarian

(but presentations can be given in any world language).

Organizers of the Congress:

• University of Miskolc (ME)
• International Association for Hungarian Studies (NMT)
• University of Tokaj-Hegyalja, Sárospatak (THE