Hungarian President Novák Proud of Two Nobel Prizes
Hungary Celebrates Two Nobel Prizes: a Great Honor for the Nation
Hungarian scientists Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz have brought great pride and joy to Hungary by winning the Nobel Prize. In an interview with local news site feol.hu, President Katalin Novák expressed her excitement following her visit to Fejér County.
President Novák stated, “Let us celebrate together that two exceptional Hungarians have achieved such major recognition to the greatest joy and pride of the entire nation.” Winning one Nobel Prize is remarkable, but having two simultaneously is an outright miracle, she added. She specifically mentioned the pride felt by the residents of central Hungary’s Fejér County for having a Nobel laureate in physicist Ferenc Krausz.
Novák highlighted that both Karikó and Krausz were products of the Hungarian education system. These individuals exemplify the success that can be achieved with the support of Hungary’s strong educational foundation. She commended the scientists for their life-saving research findings, which have impacted millions of lives.
During her visit to Fejér County, Novák had the opportunity to meet Krausz’s parents and personally express gratitude on behalf of all Hungarians. She also visited the primary school where Krausz began his journey towards the Nobel Prize. Novák emphasized that the success of these scientists showcases the importance of dedicated and excellent teachers in Hungary.
The president addressed the need to create favorable conditions for the moral and financial appreciation of teachers, emphasizing that there is room for improvement in this area. She stated, “There’s no question that we must create the conditions for both the moral and financial appreciation of teachers… we’re not doing well there.”
Novák also discussed Hungary’s family-friendly strategy, highlighting the importance of valuing the God-Country-Family triad. She recognized that families face numerous challenges and obstacles, but as president, she considered the representation of families a priority. The state aims to remove financial barriers to encourage people to have children.
As a woman and a mother, Novák emphasized the importance of true freedom of choice for women, allowing them to pursue both a family and a career. She highlighted that Hungary is regarded internationally as a country with valuable insights into demographic issues. The recent Budapest Demographic Summit gathered a host of international speakers and participants.
Novák welcomed the growing international recognition of Hungary’s “family-friendly alliance” and stressed the urgency of addressing the “demographic winter.” She warned that if steps are not taken, Western civilization as we know it could disappear. In light of this, Novák announced the establishment of a demographic roundtable to facilitate dialogue on demographic issues and potential solutions.
Hungary takes immense pride in the achievements of Karikó and Krausz, seeing their success as a reflection of the country’s strong education system and the value of supportive families. The recognition received from the Nobel Prizes serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in education and prioritizing policies that promote family well-being.
