The new symbols of the University of Rakoczi were inaugurated in a ceremonial setting

All those who attended the festive event of the Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University witnessed a historic moment. A new era has begun for the institution, as the former college was elevated to university status in October 2025, marking a significant milestone in the history of Hungarian higher education in Transcarpathia. On March 27, within the framework of the Rakoczi Days series of events—commemorating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Ferenc Rakoczi II—our university formally inaugurated its academic symbols. During the gala ceremony, the regalia representing university traditions and dignity were presented and consecrated: the academic gown, the scepter, and the chain of office. These symbols, representing the institution’s new status and historical significance, were formally presented to the university’s leadership by Balázs Hankó, Hungary’s Minister for Culture and Innovation.

The event opened with the ceremonial entrance of the historical flags of Transcarpathia, followed by the university’s anthem, “Rakoczi’s prayer,” performed with the participation of the institution’s chamber choir.

“The Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University is an island of Hungarian security, of the longed-for and awaited peace, and of the Hungarian future in Transcarpathia. It is not merely a place of education, but a pillar of remaining and sustaining life in the homeland—a pillar of the Hungarian future. What has been achieved here, and what is being achieved day after day, is nothing less than the preservation of the nation and the saving of lives,”

– highlighted Balázs Hankó. He added that while all rights are guaranteed for Ukrainians in Hungary, it is expected that the Hungarian national minority living here should be granted the same rights.

The welcoming remarks were followed by the presentation and donning of the academic gowns. The academic gown is a symbol of belonging to the universitas community, the freedom of science, and academic dignity. The gowns gifted to the university were formally presented by Minister Balázs Hankó to Ildikó Orosz, President of our university, and to Rector István Csernicskó.

“On behalf of the European universitas community, I donate these academic gowns to the leadership and the Senate of the Ferenc Rakoczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University,” emphasized Minister Balázs Hankó.

Following this, Ildikó Orosz and István Csernicskó ceremoniously presented the academic gowns to the university’s vice-rectors, department heads, and the head of the Rector’s Office.

Following the presentation of the academic gowns, a piano performance of Árpád Barabás’s piece titled Whom shall I choose? was given by pianist Andrea Várnagy—Artist of Merit of Hungary, recipient of the Franz Liszt Prize and Budapest Brand Award, founder of the ZeneVarázslat movement, and lecturer in the music teacher training program at our university—together with Szvetlána Barna, music teacher at the Zoltán Kodály Art School in Berehove.

The program continued with the presentation of the university scepter. The university scepter symbolizes the institution’s traditions, autonomy, and communal unity. In a solemn ceremony, the scepter was presented by György Szabó, Rector of the University of Nyíregyháza, to István Csernicskó, Rector of the University of Rakoczi.

After the presentation of the scepter, the audience heard Éva Bodnár’s musicalized poem, Prayer for the homeland, performed by Marianna Györkené Csákány.

As the next stage of the ceremony, the university chains of office were presented. The presidential and rectoral chains serve as symbols of the dignity and responsibility inherent in these high offices. In a solemn ceremony, acting on behalf of the university’s founders, Géza Gulácsy—Member of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Foundation for the Transcarpathian Hungarian University and Vice-President of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association—presented the presidential chain to President Ildikó Orosz. Furthermore, also representing the university’s founders, Sándor Zán Fábián—Member of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Foundation for the Transcarpathian Hungarian University and Bishop of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia—presented the academic rectoral chain to Rector István Csernicskó.

Following the presentation of the chains of office, Szilveszter Ferku—laboratory assistant at the Department of Philology at the University of Rakoczi and social pedagogue at the Transcarpathian Hungarian Lyceum—performed László Vári Fábián’s musicalized poem, On the way to Turkey.

This was followed by the presentation and signing of the Mission Statement of the University of Rakoczi. The statement was read by Eszter Sass, a second-year student in the English–Hungarian Translation and Interpreting (BA) program. Subsequently, President Ildikó Orosz and Rector István Csernicskó signed the document, which was then formally authenticated by Minister Balázs Hankó.

After the signing, Nikoletta Halász and Bertalan Halász, instructors at the Tulipán Tanoda Hungarian School of Folk Music and Folk Art, performed Johann Strauss II’s piece titled Long Live the Hungarian!

This was followed by the formal oath-taking ceremony of President Ildikó Orosz and Rector István Csernicskó.

Following the oath, the song I have chosen this land by the band Republic was performed by Boglárka Ferku, Boglárka Grica, Dávid Lajos Mándy, and Szilveszter Ferku.

“There are moments in the life of an institution when we do not simply celebrate, but experience history. Today is such a day. Today, we did not merely inaugurate symbols; we bore witness to the birth of a tradition,”

– stated István Csernicskó. He explained: the academic gown reminds us that the university is, above all, a community; the scepter warns us that the universitas consists not of walls, but of ideals and people; and the chain of office is a reminder that the dignity of the position always stems from the trust of the community.

“Looking upon the symbols introduced today, a motto came to mind, which I believe will set the course for my tenure as rector: ‘In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, in all things charity’. In this spirit, our university must be a place where knowledge is dignity, dialogue is strength, and community is a sustaining reality,”

concluded István Csernicskó in his speech.

Following the Rector’s speech, Bertalan Halász, an instructor at the Tulipán Tanoda Hungarian School of Folk Music and Folk Art, performed the Rakoczi song.

“There are moments in the life of an institution when we must pause, not only to look at the work of our daily lives but also at the journey we have taken so far. Today, we have gathered for such an occasion. We are inaugurating the symbols of our university. Yet, the path that led us here was not paved with stones or laid with carpets. At times, it was rugged and muddy—so much so that we nearly slipped from it. Over the years, we have walked through every station of becoming a university. When we look at our symbols, we see our roots. We see that Rakoczi heritage which teaches us that freedom and knowledge go hand in hand,”

– highlighted Ildikó Orosz, President of our university, before expressing her gratitude to the institution’s founders and supporters.

Following the President’s speech, the audience heard Ida Bobula’s Hungarian song and Éva Bodnár’s musicalized poem titled Homeland, performed by Marianna Györkené Csákány.

At the end of the event, representatives of the historical churches asked for God’s blessing upon the lives of all those present.

Anita Kurmay

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