The Centre for European Studies at Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, and the Embassy of Hungary in Bangkok, opened the “Hungarians Exploring the Orient” Exhibition on 24 November at the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building of the University.
The exhibition is based on collections of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and showcases Hungarian explorers who have made remarkable contributions to African, Iranian, Ottoman, Korean and Japanese studies, as well as Egyptology, Indology, Sinology and studies on Central, Inner and Southeast Asia.
The opening ceremony started by the welcoming remarks of Assistant Professor Dr. Suradech Chotiudompan, Associate Dean for Internationalisation and Organisational Image Enhancement, Faculty of Arts and the opening speech by Associate Professor Dr. Kingkarn Thepkanjana, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who both welcomed the opportunity to host the exhibition, which provides a unique chance for students and visitors alike to catch a glimpse of a remarkable aspect of Hungarian scientific achievements.
To provide a better understanding of the subject, Hungarian Ambassador Mr. Peter Jakab gave a presentation on the ever-present aspiration among Hungarian scientists and explorers to find the Eastern origins of our ancestors. The presentation was followed by a roundtable discussion entitled “The Hungarian Rhapsody of Travels and Memories” between the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr Bhawan Ruangsilp, Lecturer at the Department of History, Dr Verita Sriratana, Head of the Central and Eastern European Studies Section and Ms Thapanee Tubnonghee, an undergraduate Student at the Faculty of Arts and a former exchange student in Hungary who speaks excellent Hungarian. Ms. Thapanee’s lively and detailed account of her cultural experiences in Hungary were one of the highlights of the event.
The exhibition can be visited at the Learning Commons, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building (2nd Floor), Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, until 28 December 2015.