The Students’ Union (HÖK) and the Instructor Self-Active Group (IÖCS), organizers of the series of events held at the Nagyvárad Square Theoretical Block (NET), have once again decided to combine the Semmelweis International Carnival with the Multicultural Food Festival, where the participants showcased the cuisine and the signature dishes of their home countries. The audience was entertained by dance and music performances, well-known disc jockeys, and a band, giving them an unforgettable evening together.
The event was opened by Dr. Alán Alpár, Vice-Rector for International Studies, who recalled the history of the more than a decade-old carnival, stressing that such gatherings bring students together:
Events like this are platforms where we can get to know each other and new cultures. Language barriers disappear in an instant. Food is an integral part of our traditions and cultures, so combining them results in wonderful things. – Dr. Alán Alpár
The opening ceremony continued with addresses by Jaishree Biswakarma, President of the International Semmelweis Student Association (ISSA), Raphael Feurstein, Head of the Deutschsprachige Studentenvertretung Semmelweis (DSVS), as well as Imre Richárd Nagy of HÖK and Orsolya Sisa of IÖCS. Imre Richárd Nagy pointed out that the theme of this year’s event, “Carnival of the rising sun”, symbolized the new opportunities and the community that united us all. The opening ceremony concluded with a toast.
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The carnival mood was set by various performances by the Semmelweis Folk Dance Ensemble, a Hungarian folk singer, dance groups, an alternative rock band, and a Latin music singer.
The Multicultural Food Festival highlighted the traditions and culinary customs of different nations. Attendees had a chance to taste samsa, a Kazakh meat-filled bun. Svede, the Norwegian pancake, was a huge hit as well. Hungarian students did not disappoint either with a selection of tasty dishes.
Gerda Esze, fifth-year dentistry student
Everything you see on the counter tonight was prepared by us. The peach-shaped cookies, traditionally served at Hungarian wedding receptions, the Fanta cake, the stuffed sauerkraut, and the potato pancakes. In addition, we serve potato stew with pickled cucumber. It was my suggestion to offer Fanta cake as a typical Hungarian dessert, as it was the staple dish of school carnivals back in my childhood.
Jázmin Nagy, Sára Bacskai, and Csenge Kolossváry, first-year medical students
We visited the Japanese, Vietnamese, Hungarian, German, and Israeli stands. Our favorites were sushi and potato pancakes, but we also tasted some Wiener schnitzel. And now we keep on looking.
The cheerful atmosphere contributed to the success of this year’s carnival. Thank you for joining us. Hope you had a memorable night.
Kristóf Hegedűs – Students’ Union
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photos by Bálint Barta – Semmelweis University
