News

On 7 May 2026, MATE once again transformed its campus into a vibrant crossroads of cultures, flavours, music, and friendship during the 5th Jubilee International Dinner. Organized by the MATE Centre for International Strategy and Coordination together with ESN and Stipendium Hungaricum mentors, the event brought together students, diplomats, university staff, and guests from around the world for an unforgettable evening of intercultural celebration.​​​​​

From the very beginning of the evening, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as enthusiastic student chefs arranged their national dishes and decorated their tables with symbols of their cultures. This year’s event featured representatives from 29 competing countries presenting an astonishing 72 different food and beverage specialties across five categories: starters, soups, main dishes, desserts, and beverages.

The event was honoured by the presence of representatives from 13 diplomatic missions and embassies, including Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Kosovo, Laos, Malaysia, Nigeria, Syria, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Their participation reflected the growing international prestige of the International Dinner and highlighted the importance of cultural dialogue and cooperation within the MATE community.

 The distinguished jury, chaired by Dr. Zoltán Kovács, Vice-Rector for Science and International Affairs, carefully evaluated the dishes while hundreds of students and guests enjoyed tasting foods from every corner of the globe. Guests could experience a culinary journey ranging from rich African flavours and aromatic Asian specialties to traditional European delicacies and exotic desserts.

The official opening ceremony began with welcoming speeches and greetings from Rector Dr. Professor Csaba Gyuricza, who emphasized the value of international cooperation, friendship, and diversity at MATE. The evening was guided with great energy and warmth by the hosts, Judit and Anita Nhyira Bondzie, who led the audience through an extraordinary cultural programme.

One of the highlights of the evening was the remarkable series of artistic performances representing cultures from across the world. The audience was first captivated by the spectacular Hungarian folk dances of the MATE Forduló Folk Dance Ensemble, showcasing the traditions of Mezőség and Somogy with authenticity and passion. The performances beautifully reflected Hungary’s rich cultural heritage and immediately created a festive atmosphere. International talents then took the stage one after another. Gabriela Cabrera from Ecuador enchanted the audience with a traditional Andean dance inspired by the ancestral roots of her culture. The recently established MATE Singers University Choir demonstrating the unifying power of music with performances including the joyful “Viva tutte le vezzose,” the inspiring South African song “Siyahamba,” and the uplifting “This is the Day.”

The cultural journey continued with breathtaking Bharatanatyam dances from India, emotional musical performances from Cape Verde, Laos, Syria, Nicaragua, and China, energetic Bangladeshi folk dances, and the highly interactive Syrian Dabke performance that invited audience members to join the dancers on stage. Every performance highlighted not only artistic excellence but also the strong sense of community and mutual respect that defines the international student life at MATE.

In parallel with the performances and culinary experiences, guests also enjoyed the E³UDRES² Science Pub Quiz, which added a playful academic element to the evening and encouraged interaction among participants from different countries and disciplines.

As the night progressed, the atmosphere became even more joyful during the Hungarian folk dance house (Táncház), where students and guests learned traditional Hungarian dance steps together, proving once again that music and dance truly transcend language barriers.

 The long-awaited award ceremony crowned the evening with recognition for the outstanding culinary achievements of the participating countries:

• Best Starter: Tunisia 
• Best Soup: China 
• Best Main Dish: Kosovo 
• Best Dessert: Angola 
• Best Beverage: Ghana 
• Audience favourite: Kenya

The success of the evening was made possible thanks to the dedicated organizers, mentors, performers, volunteers, university staff, sponsors, and supporters who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Special appreciation was expressed to the MATE Media Centre, OTP Bank Gödöllő, Amenza Restaurant, the Hungarian-Lao Friendship Association, embassy representatives, and all contributors who helped create such an inspiring and welcoming environment.
More than just a gastronomic festival, the International Dinner once again demonstrated the true spirit of MATE: openness, diversity, cooperation, and friendship among nations. The event reminded everyone present that although we come from different cultures and backgrounds, shared experiences around food, music, and art can bring people together in extraordinary ways.

As the evening concluded, participants left not only with full plates and happy memories, but also with new friendships, deeper cultural understanding, and the feeling of having been part of something truly special — a beautiful masterpiece painted from the colours of the world.