Fulbright Hungary Celebrates 25th Anniversary with a Danube Cruise
Fulbright Hungary celebrated its 25th Anniversary on May 19, 2017 with a cruise on the Danube that had a record number of Fulbrighters and guests, 226 in total.
Chargé d’affaires David Kostelancik of the US Embassy greeted the Fulbrighters with his statement of admiration and support.
The government of Hungary was represented by Deputy State Secretary Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich of the Ministry of Human Capacities. Ms. Pacsay-Tomassich announced that Hungary will increase financial support to Fulbright by 15 million forints ($55,000) or by 30% to 65 million forints ($235,000) in 2017. In addition, the Ministry offered to provide Fulbright with new office space, as well as set up a mentoring program, the details of which are to be announced.
The cruise was about meeting old friends and colleagues. Present were former Fulbright employees and Board members, and many many Hungarian and American alumni. We showed four new Fulbright videos on the boat for the first time:
as well as a retrospective slide show. We made sure to invite grantees and other important players from the pre-Commission days as well.
As usual, we said goodbye to our current US grantees and farewell to our Hungarian grantees embarking on their Fulbright adventure in AY 2017-18.
For more pictures of the festivities (by photographer Marianne Sárközy), see here.
