From traditional dances to delightful dishes, International Dinner 2025 Spring Edition at MATE brought together global traditions through dance, music, and food. With performances from across continents and cuisine that told stories of home, it was a great evening celebrating diversity, community, and culture in its most vibrant form.​​​​​​

On 10 April, MATE hosted its annual International Dinner in Gödöllő at AMenza Restaurant, a vibrant and inspiring event that brought together students, staff, and distinguished guests from HÖOK (National Conference of Student Governments) ,FAO (Food and Agriculture Organizations), the Angolan and Malaysian embassies for an evening of cultural exchange, artistic performances, and culinary exploration. The event showcased the richness of world traditions and the togetherness that diversity can promote within a multi-campus community.

The opening ceremony featured a captivating performance by MATE Forduló Folk Dance Ensemble bringing traditional Hungarian and Transylvanian dances to life.

While a nine-member jury tasted over 50 culinary art creations by chefs from 22 nations in five categories (starter, soup, dinner, dessert, and beverage), participants were treated to a series of outstanding performances by MATE students representing cultures from all over the world. Among them was a Bharatanatyam dance, which combined Indian rhythm with modern choreography. Traditional Nigerian dance, Syrian and Kazakhstan music, a Hungarian piano recital, and a fusion of Indian and Bangladeshi dance were all featured, demonstrating the university community's diverse cultural tapestry. One of the evening's highlights was a performance by Angolan students, who introduced the audience to semba, a traditional Angolan dance recognized for its energy, storytelling, and cultural significance.

Following the performances, the stage was set for the following local projects in Gödöllő: Informational sessions about , AGRIGEP—a European Union initiative on gender equality in agriculture—as well as introductions to the Kolping Family Gödöllő  and the Szamovár Foundation enriched the educational aspect of the evening.

 Then students enjoyed a cultural and scientific pub quiz led by E³UDRES² Alliance representatives, enhancing the evening with fun and collaborative learning.

​​​​​​The evening finished with MATE Forduló’s interactive Hungarian folk-dance session, in which participants learned traditional steps and shared the joy of dancing together.

As the evening came to a close, the winners of the culinary competition and audience voting were revealed, with the most beloved dishes and performances receiving well-deserved recognition. The jury faced a challenging task in judging such an impressive collection of entries. 

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Awards were presented in several categories: Best Starter and Best Dessert went to the team from Malaysia, Best Soup to Iraq, Best Main Dish and Audience Favourite to Morocco, and Best Beverage to Sri Lanka. In addition to these categories, certificates of appreciation and gifts honouring their contributions and efforts were given to all other competing teams.

The evening culminated in a lively after party, where students continued to connect, dance, and celebrate until late into the night.
With nearly 300 participants, including contributions from dozens of nations, the International Dinner 2025 served as a living example of MATE’s commitment to intercultural understanding and international engagement.

Thank You for the Participants for Sharing their Culture

The International Dinner 2025 was not just an event — it was a living, breathing showcase of the power of diversity, the beauty of connection, and the joy of coming together. . The success of this event every year stands as a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and the shared joy of cultural expression at the heart of MATE’s international community.

Until next year… Keep sharing your stories. Keep dancing. Keep tasting the world!