Tibor Kapu and Bertalan Farkas were awarded the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen this year.

Bertalan Farkas and Tibor Kapu received the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen – Photo: Zoltán Fischer / MTVA

Astronauts Bertalan Farkas and Tibor Kapu were awarded the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen by President Tamás Sulyok at the Sándor Palace during the State Holiday on August 20, according to MTI.

The President stated, “The Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen is presented annually as Hungary’s highest honor. This year, we wish to recognize two outstanding figures of Hungarian space exploration, whose achievements have inscribed their names not only in the history of space research and world science but also in the hearts of the Hungarian people.

Just as the successes of our athletes and the world-changing inventions of our innovators bring joy and pride to every Hungarian, so too do the remarkable space missions of today’s honorees deserve the admiration of millions of Hungarians.”

On the occasion of August 20, Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit to, among others:

• Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, university professor, head of the Technological Futures Workshop at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium School of Economics, former ambassador and state secretary, in recognition of his outstanding role in promoting and gaining international recognition for Hungarian economic policy and innovation thinking.
• Júlia Kudlik, journalist, television editor, presenter, and announcer, for her exemplary and dedicated career in widely introducing the diverse culture of Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin and strengthening Hungarian identity, as well as her values-driven public engagement.

Gulyás also awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit to, among others:

• László Hajas, master hairdresser and founding owner of Hajas Hair Salons, for his innovative and exemplary contributions to the Hungarian hairdressing profession, his high-level craftsmanship, and dedication to educating younger generations.
• Roland Jakab, CEO of the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network and President of the Artificial Intelligence Coalition, for his scientific work in IT research and development, his leadership in introducing technological innovations in Hungary, and his efforts to bring domestic inventions to market.
• Dr. Konrad Sutarski, József Attila Prize-winning writer, poet, and translator, for his literary, translation, and cultural-diplomatic work portraying the fates of the Hungarian and Polish peoples through classic and modern literary expression, and for his diverse activities enriching the culture of both nations.
• László Végh, agricultural engineer, former MP, and former Deputy Mayor of Békéscsaba, for his contributions to the residents of Békés County and Békéscsaba and the development of the region.

Gergely Gulyás also presented the Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit to, among others:

• Boris Gregor Kálnoky, head of the Media School and Journalism Workshop at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, for his outstanding contributions to strengthening Hungary’s international recognition, developing Hungarian-German relations, and preserving the intellectual heritage of Hungarians in Transylvania.

Boris Gregor Kálnoky receives the Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit from Gergely Gulyás – Photo: Zoltán Máthé / MTVA

• Dr. Emőke Kovács, historian and director of the City Library of Tab, for her research uncovering the 19th–20th century history of Lake Balaton and her community-building work preserving the region’s cultural values for future generations.
• Dr. Áron Máthé, historian and sociologist, Deputy Chair of the National Memory Committee, for his research uncovering the reality of 20th-century totalitarian regimes and his role in developing international relations in Hungarian memory policy.
• Tamás Mester, President of the Budapest Jewish Community and Vice President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary, for his outstanding work in developing Jewish religious life in Budapest, promoting Judaism, and his committed community-building efforts.

Gergely Gulyás also awarded the Golden Cross of Merit of Hungary to:

• Dr. Norbert Glässer, cultural anthropologist and assistant professor at the University of Szeged Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and scientific collaborator at the Holocaust Documentation Centre and Memorial Foundation, for his high-level scientific and teaching work and support of the educational and awareness-raising activities of the Holocaust Documentation Centre.
• Árpád Zsolt Kovács, IT specialist at the Veritas Research Institute and Archive’s Information and Research Service Group, for his role in developing and operating the IT system supporting restitution administration and archival processing.
• Dr. Sándor István Nagy, lawyer and Deputy Director General of the Hungarian Adult Education and Consulting Ltd., lecturer at Milton Friedman University, for his research and teaching emphasizing national values, particularly his work preserving the memory of Holocaust victims and documenting acts of rescue.

Gergely Gulyás also awarded the Silver Cross of Merit of Hungary to, among others:

• Árpád Lesti, political scientist and Head of Communications at the Hungarian Museum of Architecture and the Documentation Centre for Monument Preservation, and Secretary of the Antall József Memorial Committee and Association, for his work preserving the intellectual and material legacy of Prime Minister József Antall.
• Dr. Mihály Noszkó-Horváth, historian and lawyer, head archivist and leader of the Information and Research Service Group at the Veritas Research Institute and Archive, for organizing the archival processing of restitution-related materials and scientific work on the history of the restitution process.

Gergely Gulyás also awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit of Hungary to, among others:

• Júlia Szatmári, Executive Director of the Civil Organizations Association, for her exemplary two decades of professional work serving civil society.
• Barbara Takács, personal assistant at the Veritas Research Institute and Archive, for her dedicated work ensuring the effective operation of the institute.