“This event is one of the defining moments of the academic year at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. The community of the Faculty is proud of its predecessors, cherishes and believes in traditions. We are proud of the late Prof. Dr. János Martonyi, as his name is deeply intertwined with the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of Szeged. His fate is linked with the path of the Law Faculty of Szeged and is common with our fate. His principles, his commitment, his professionalism are the same as ours. We cannot disregard Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Sr.’s contributions in education, research, science, and institutional management when applauding him. He was deeply committed to education, not only teaching but also nurturing his students. His achievements in research and academia, particularly in the fields of the legality of public administration, the theory of administrative procedural law in the domestic and international context, and cultural administration, are exemplary and continue to have a significant impact on future generations of lawyers. In terms of institutional management, it is noteworthy that he served twice as Dean of the Faculty of Law in Szeged and once as Vice-Rector of the institution now known as the University of Szeged during his four-decade career. He is the author of numerous works and has received multiple accolades. No matter what the scoreboard reads though, to create something truly valuable, you need the support of your family. After all, it is with the support and encouragement of your family that you can attain your full potential. The late Prof. Dr. János Martonyi had such a family to lean on. I am especially delighted that all three of his children are part of our commemorative gathering today. Our values, our commitment and our creed will forever bind us together,” said Prof. Dr. Márta Görög, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of the University of Szeged, in her opening speech.

The children of the late Prof. Dr. János Martonyi

At the ceremony, the late Prof. Dr. János Martonyi was commemorated by Dr. Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development; Dr. Albert Takács, Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged; Dr. Elemér Balogh, Head of the Department of European Legal History, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Szeged; Dr. András Patyi, Vice-President of the Curia of Hungary; Dr. András Torma, Rector Emeritus of the University of Miskolc.

Dr. Tibor Navracsics

Following the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Márta Görög and Prof. Dr. János Martonyi inaugurated the teachers' lounge in the main building of the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, which now carries the name of Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Sr.

The ceremony was followed by the inauguration of the memorial room

“I believe that naming the teacher’s lounge after Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Sr. conveys a message, because when we, the lecturers at the Faculty of Law of Szeged, consider what should define our teaching methodology, way of thinking, attitude, and relationship to teaching, research, and our students, we should look back to our predecessors. To those professors who have been true role models for us. The late Prof. Dr. János Martonyi is one of these professors,” declared the Dean of the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Law and Political Sciences.

The teacher's lounge was named after the late professor

Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Jr. concluded by thanking the people and leaders of the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Law and Political Sciences for maintaining his father’s memory and legacy.

Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Jr. and his sisters

Prof. Dr. Márta Görög thanked the present family members for their involvement in the occasion with a commemorative certificate.

Prof. Dr. János Martonyi Jr.

The rest of the day was devoted to sessions and professional discourses.

Witten in Hungarian by Tamara Pósa

Photos by: Anna Bobkó, Péter Zentai