Created: 2025.04.17. 15:27
In preparation for the Easter holiday, Széchenyi István University organised a cultural event for its international students. The event, titled „ Spring: The Rebirth of Nature and the Soul”, welcomed over 60 young students from 26 countries outside Hungary, who were introduced to Hungarian traditions as well as Colombian, Vietnamese, Pakistani, and Indian customs associated with the season.
Széchenyi István University places great emphasis on strengthening the international student community and integrating them into the Hungarian community. Therefore, it organises numerous events each academic year for this purpose. These events not only provide an opportunity to learn more deeply about Hungarian traditions and values but also allow young people from different countries to present their own cultural heritage to one another.
In this spirit, the University’s Centre for International Programmes and Alumni launched the Easter-themed „Spring – The Rebirth of Nature and the Soul” programme. More than 60 Hungarian and international students participated in the event, coming from 26 different countries. One of the event’s main goals was to give young people the chance to learn about each other’s springtime traditions. Representatives from eight countries gave presentations on the seasonal customs of their homelands, with a special focus on universal values such as renewal and belonging to a community.
Many Hungarian and foreign students attended the programme (Photo: András Adorján)
Pham Phu Cuong spoke about Vietnamese traditions, Aytaj Bayramli about the Azerbaijani fire-jumping custom, Ziganubari Omeyimi Aloega about Easter in Nigeria, Khadiga Al-Nagar about Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, while Indian student Garima Verma talked about Holi, the festival of colours. These five students are studying at the Győr-based University with the support of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme. Manuel Iván Bánó, who has Hungarian roots and is studying under the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme for young people of Hungarian descent living outside Europe, presented Colombian spring customs. Lastly, Matthew Boota from Pakistan, a beneficiary of the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People, shared his country’s seasonal traditions from a believer’s perspective.
The speakers of the programme were: in the front, Sylvia Páliné Nyiri, the main organiser of the programme and member of the Centre for International Programmes and Alumni of the University, and Ziganubari Omeyimi Aloega from Nigeria, in the back row Matthew Boota from Pakistan, Garima Verma from India, Aytaj Bayramli from Azerbaijan, Khadiga Al-Nagar from Yemen, Pham Phu Cuong from Vietnam and Manuel Iván Bánó from Colombia. (Photo: András Adorján)
Hungarian Easter customs and the Christian significance of the holiday were presented by Sylvia Páliné Nyiri, the organiser and staff member of the Centre of International Programmes and Alumni. “At Széchenyi University, we believe it is important that these events are not merely showcases but real opportunities for building community and fostering cultural dialogue. They greatly contribute to the integration of the approximately one thousand international students studying here and the strengthening of their social connections. That is why we organised this Easter event, as spring is a season of hope, new beginnings, and spiritual renewal across all cultures,” she explained. She added that it was particularly moving to see the students working together during the creative workshop that closed the programme. The young participants, representing many countries, painted Easter eggs and created a shared international Easter egg tree.
“I had a great time at the event – it was truly a special experience to celebrate with students from so many nations. It feels good to be part of an inclusive community where we turn towards each other’s cultures with openness. Events like this bring us closer and help us find shared values,” said Abdalkarim Kazam, an Iraqi student of International Business Economics.
“I really liked that we got to learn about the customs of different cultures – I discovered many new and interesting things. I especially enjoyed the creative workshop; it was fun to create together,” added Phomvixay Phet Aloune from Laos. “I was particularly surprised by the Easter egg tree tradition – we don’t have anything like that at home.”
