A new Hungarian-language book featuring interviews with 26 Indian university students has been launched at the University of Delhi, offering insight into their experiences of learning Hungarian and what inspired them to take up the language.
Story by: Gopalan Rajamani
Titled Beszélgetőkönyv: Egy delhi magyar lektor interjúi indiai egyetemistákkal (roughly translated as A Conversation Book: Interviews with Indian University Students by a Hungarian Lecturer in Delhi), the 204-page publication was written by Dr Margit Köves, Assistant Lecturer of Hungarian Language and Culture.
The book brings together conversations with 26 students, conducted on different dates. Through their accounts, readers can discover what first attracted them to Hungarian and how they have experienced learning the language in India.
A closer look at Hungarian language learning in Delhi
Dr Margit Köves has a postgraduate degree in Philology from ELTE University in Budapest and a doctorate in Buddhist Studies from the University of Delhi. She teaches Hungarian at the University of Delhi and the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Centre in Delhi, where she is a popular educator.
Published by Tiszatáj Könyvek, based in Szeged, the book also features an introduction by Hungarian author and guitarist Gábor Lanczkor, a member of the band Médeia Fiai.
Students share their experiences at book launch
The launch event was organised by the Department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies at the University of Delhi. Several students whose interviews appear in the publication spoke at the event about their personal journeys of learning Hungarian.
The gathering was attended by university professors, students and other guests, bringing together members of the academic community interested in Hungarian language and culture.
The publication offers a glimpse into the growing academic and cultural connections between Hungary and India, told through the experiences of the students themselves.
