Review of the 2010 SSEC Annual Conference in Hungary
Theme: A New Look at Hungary and Hungarian-American Interactions
June 16 – 22, 2010
Our annual conference began in Budapest, Hungary. Murry Nelson coordinated the entire conference, planning for speakers and organizing train travel throughout the country. The first meeting began with a reception at the Budapest Fulbright Offices. We were treated to a most informative lecture on the architecture of Budapest by Laszlo Muntean, Faculty of Humanities, Pazmany Peter Catholic University
This is the elegant House of Parliament in Budapest along the Danube River.
After a free day touring Budapest, our intrepid travelers boarded a train for the lovely town of Eger.
After a not-too-exhausting train trip, we were treated to a wine tasting at the Magister Wine Cellar.
SSEC members came to value the high quality of Hungarian wines.
The following morning in Eger, we had an interesting seminar with the American Studies faculty of Eszterhazy Karoly College. Dr. Judith Kadar was our host.
Topics included:
- “The Clash of Cultures”
- “Translation Studies and the National Canon(s)”
- “Hungarian and American Relations in Between the Two World Wars”
Next, we took an afternoon train to Tokaj, the wine center of Hungary.
At Eszterhazy Prince, we had our second wine tasting. This intimate event was hosted by a former student of Murry Nelson’s, Hajnalka Pracser and her husband. We learned that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to buy the fine Hungarian wines in the United States. Alas!
Photo: A mighty eager bunch of wine connoisseurs
From Tokaj, we took two different trains to Debrecen. Upon arrival we were treated to a walking tour of this small city by another student of Murry Nelson’s, Katalin Abuczki
Photo: Center City Debrecen
At the University of Debrecen the next day, our Hungarian colleagues treated us to a series of papers. The topics included:
- “Jefferson and Hungarian Wines”
- “Hungarians in the American Civil War”
- “The Return of the (Hungarian) Crown”
Photo: Colleagues on the American Studies Faculty at the University of Debrecen
Following the full day of seminars, the SSEC held it annual corporation meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Jim Davis presented Murry Nelson with the Irving Morrissett Award for Excellence in Social Science Education.