Széchenyi István University, in partnership with the foundation that maintains it, has established Hungary's second Jewish Excellence Exhibition in the former synagogue of Győr, now functioning as the University Concert Hall. The permanent exhibition, which opened on 6 July, features the life stories of over 400 Jewish scientists, artists and athletes, ranging from Albert Einstein to Mark Spitz and Miklós Radnóti.

During the World Meeting of the Jewish Roots of Győr, from 4 to 7 July, the city commemorated the 80th anniversary of the deportation of Jewish citizens from Győr. The event was attended by about 200 guests from 15 countries, most of whom were descendants of Holocaust survivors. As part of the programme, which included a scientific conference, memorial plaque unveiling, tree planting, a Holocaust memorial ceremony and concerts, Hungary's second Jewish Excellence Exhibition, after Balatonfüred, was opened at the Széchenyi István University Concert Hall, the former synagogue.

The opening ceremony filled the University Concert Hall, the former synagogue. (Photo: András Adorján)

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr László Palkovics, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Széchenyi István University Foundation, recalled that, after its beautiful renovation in 2006, the building was given to Széchenyi István University for use. "Our Faculty of Performance Arts, which found a home here, has become one of the most prestigious music training centres in our country in recent times. Our students, who fill these historic spaces day by day, absorb knowledge that enables them, through their art, to proclaim humanity throughout their careers, reinforcing in all of us the awareness that humans are open, sensitive, and empathetic beings who ultimately strive for good," he emphasized. He added that the University, in partnership with the foundation that maintains the institution, considers it extremely important, over and above the high-quality music education taking place here, to give something back to the Jewish community, which has actively contributed to the economy, culture and society of Győr. "This is why the Jewish Excellence Exhibition is opening here. The exhibition on the ground floor and the second-floor gallery showcases the life paths of more than 400 outstanding scientists, artists and athletes, complemented by a mini-exhibition on the architectural history of the synagogue and photographs of Győr and the University, thanks to the Photography Open University Association," explained the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The exhibition features the life paths of such distinguished personalities as Albert Bruce Sabin, developer of the polio vaccine; Sigmund Freud, founder of the psychoanalytic school; Albert Einstein, considered by many as the greatest scientist of the 20th century; numerous artists from Marcel Proust to George Gershwin and Woody Allen; and unforgettable athletes like swimmer Mark Spitz, chess player Garri Kasparov and basketball player Sue Bird. Several eminent personalities who once lived in Győr or the area of today's Győr-Moson-Sopron County are also featured in the exhibition, such as David Gestetner, the inventor of the stencil machine, born in Csorna; Ágoston Léderer, founder of both the Győr distillery and the wagon factory; Emil Östreicher, a sports manager born in Győr who managed Real Madrid and several other prestigious football clubs; and Dezső Winkler, who, as an engineer at the wagon factory, designed the legendary Botond four-wheel-drive military vehicle for the Royal Hungarian Army.

The exhibition allows visitors to learn about the life stories of more than 400 Jewish scientists, artists and athletes. (Photo: András Adorján)

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at the University, highlighted that the institution created the exhibition with the intention that as many people as possible would get to know the value-creating work of those who proclaimed peaceful coexistence and the unity of humanity through the enrichment of universal knowledge. "Our University is characterized by an international atmosphere where different cultures meet. We consider it important that everyone builds on this intercultural environment. Therefore, I hope that the exhibition will attract great interest not only from the people of Győr and visitors to the city but also from our Hungarian and international students," she said.

Dr Péter Krausz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Charitable Foundation for the Jewish Roots of Győr, thanked Széchenyi István University and its maintaining foundation for realizing the exhibition and pointed out that the exhibition "uses modern technology to showcase the lives and contributions of the most prominent figures of the Jewish community and, within it, those of the Jewish community of Győr to the prosperity of the city, of Hungary and the world."

At the event, lecturers and students of SZE’s Faculty of Performance Arts also took to the stage. (Photo: András Adorján)

Dr Ferenc Olti, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the House of Jewish Excellence Foundation in Balatonfüred, recalled that the exhibition there was created with the intention of being unique, but also not sad. He added that the Győr exhibition helps to sensitively educate students against anti-Semitism in an enjoyable and meaningful way. He opined, "Given the current state of the world, similar sensitization is needed not only here but also at many other universities."

The quality of the event was enhanced by a concert from Eszter Bíró and her band. (Photo: András Adorján)