Speech by Katalin Novák at the congratulations ceremony hosted in honour of Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz

We celebrate with a pure heart, our chests swelling with pride, and we rejoice together, putting aside the horrors of the world around us for at least a few hours. Hungary is celebrating the world-renowned success of two outstanding Hungarian minds. We have been waiting for this moment for nearly two decades, and after almost thirty years we can once again welcome two Hungarians to the list of the most brilliant scientific giants of humanity.

I would like to welcome once again, it feels so good to say it, let me say it, our two new Nobel laureates, Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz! Thank you very much for being here!

I have come here straight from Tirana, and almost immediately from the airport. When I stood up at the table, I excused myself. It was a meeting of prime ministers of the Berlin Process dealing with the enlargement of the Western Balkans. Right as the lunch got underway, I excused myself, I said I had to go, I'm sorry, I'll leave you now. I couldn't wait for someone to ask me why. Fortunately, someone did, and I said it was because we were to celebrate two Hungarian Nobel laureates in Budapest tonight. The German Chancellor asked back, "What, a Hungarian Nobel Prize winner?" I said, yes, Nobel Prize winner, to which the Dutch Prime Minister responded by the question, "a Hungarian Nobel Prize winner"? I said, no, two Hungarian Nobel Prize winners! It was so satisfying to see the envy on their faces!

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Katalin, dear Ferenc!

Can we be proud of what we haven't ourselves achieved? Can we be proud of the talent, struggles, and successes of others? Why do we even feel pride, for it wasn't us who studied when others were playing and having fun. We weren't the ones who were continuously turning seemingly impossible problems in our mind. We weren't the ones who toiled in the solitude of laboratory nights; it wasn't us who had sleepless nights due to our failures. We didn't struggle with the doubters, and our families didn't have to suffer because of our passionate love for our calling. New and new obstacles were not placed in our path, and we weren't the ones who stubbornly continued to fight. We were not the ones who retained our Hungarian identity even when we were distant from our beloved motherland.

Yet we say that it is us who are proud of these two additional Nobel Prizes. Would we perhaps want to steal someone else's hard-earned success? No. The success is ours as well, because Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz are ours. They belong to us, just as we belong to them. Our Nobel laureates are people who have always embraced their Hungarian heritage, take pride in it, and have led hard-fought lives with battles that have toughened them.

Dear Guests!

We long for the exceptional moments when we can feel the self-evident togetherness of the Hungarian nation. Pope Francis' apostolic visit in the spring, the World Athletics Championships in the summer, or even the Saturday football success were such moments, and the current moment is no exception.
Finally, something is happening that every Hungarian with a good heart can be happy about. And this is not just an event. This time, we celebrate two people, two Hungarian scientists, two Nobel laureates. Thank you for sharing this joy with us, for allowing this celebration to spread as widely as possible, ensuring that no one can selfishly claim it for themselves.

Joy can be found in many things, but true joy is when we can rejoice in each other. We, Hungarians, are privileged today because, alongside their world-renowned achievements, it is us who can see up close the two individuals who have reached the pinnacle of the sciences. Looking at it from Hungary, from Kisújszállás, and from the town of Mór, Katalin Karikó’s and Ferenc Krausz’s true essence, their own world, and their extraordinary achievements stemming from simple rural Hungarian life shine through more clearly than from any other corner of the world. Today, we have gathered from Hungary's cultural, scientific, economic, and political life to express our deep appreciation in a worthy manner. Let me also share with you the experience that when we stood there during the introductions, in response to introductions by an Oscar winner, an Olympic champion, a celebrated artist, or any such kind of individuals, I heard our newly minted Nobel laureates say several times, "I am your admirer, I feel great respect for your work." It was great to witness that this time, we have provided the opportunity to meet for people who show respect for each other and, in some cases, are even admirers of each other.

Today we are also joined by those who hold the prospect of our future.  Here are the Stipendium Peregrinum scholarship recipients, who, with the support of the Hungarian state, can study at the world's best universities. For them, just like for every scientist in the world, reaching such heights is still a dream. We've also invited young women who can be inspired and empowered– let me say this as well– by the success of the first Hungarian woman Nobel laureate.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

When Albert Szent-Györgyi received his Nobel Prize, the toastmaster referred to him as the New Conqueror from Szeged. Throughout my life, I have always been proud of my hometown, Szeged, and now this feeling has become even stronger because both of these scientists have ties to Szeged through a part of their research work. How is it possible for a nation of 15 million to be present in the world's scientific bloodstream to such an extent? What is the secret of the Hungarian recipe? Does it provide a competitive advantage for a scientist to be Hungarian? We were born into a special cradle. First and foremost, we receive the unique Hungarian language, and along with it, we all become part of the distinctive way of thinking that stems from the language, which we call the Hungarian mindset. We are brought up in Hungarian culture, values, beliefs, and the characteristic love of freedom that defines us.

This is a legacy that inspires, encourages ingenuity, and prompts creative solutions. It's an inheritance that also provides a kind of stubbornness to persevere even in the most challenging situations. Whether our scientists would have achieved their outstanding results without these attributes, only the Lord knows. But we can be sure that it served as a good foundation and resource for them, as Krausz Ferenc also said, "My Nobel Prize is a Hungarian prize."

Our two Nobel laureates acknowledge themselves that the knowledge they acquired from their Hungarian teachers in Hungarian schools served as a valuable resource for them. Without true educators, talented people can't even make it to the starting line of their careers, let alone to the top. These exceptionally influential instructors in elementary schools, vocational schools, high schools, universities, and professional workshops are the ones who, often unnoticed, can propel young talents to great heights. They provide the impetus and the initial push, without which there is no starting point, which is why it is always important, in every situation, that they are appreciated by the nation.

Dear Katalin, dear Ferenc, I kindly ask for your assistance. Please engage with us in the debates, often passionate, about the present and future of Hungarian education that we are having here, in Hungary. After all, who better than two accomplished individuals can truly understand what needs to be done, how to educate students, and what it takes to lead a successful life?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Every scientist needs a supportive environment in times of uncertainty, a point of rest in life's hustle and bustle, a pillar in challenging situations, a place to recharge before venturing out, and a safe haven to return to. Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Ferenc Krausz's parents in Mór, and we were discussing once again what a gift it is in a person's life when their parents can witness them reach the pinnacle. Unfortunately, Katalin didn't have the chance to receive the recognition she so rightfully deserved during her parents' lifetime. However, Ferenc has been given the gift of having both of his parents still alive and in good health to experience this tremendous success.

I will always remember this visit to Mór, this conversation with Aunt Eva and Uncle Feri, and also the fact that when I asked them to tell me how it was with Feri, and whether they were very proud of Feri, they said yes, of Feri and Tibi. Because they have two sons and they are very proud of both of them.

In addition to the family photo albums, they also brought out Feri's childhood pictures. I confessed to him that I had seen pictures from his very early age as well. They showed me these memories they had kept since his elementary school years. Aunt Éva proudly presented these old documents, and among them, I'd like to highlight one. It was a certificate from a physics competition, indicating an award, with "Ferenc Krausz, second place" written on it. I would just like to ask, who could have come first?

Both of our scientists, our two Nobel laureates, are not only parents but also happy grandparents. I would like to wish them moments during and after this very busy period when they can recharge with their families and be with their grandchildren.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear Katalin and Ferenc!

Thank you for not only making us proud but also happy, and not just for a single moment. May this joy last as long as possible. We are happy for you, and we are delighted to live in the country where Imre Kertész, Katalin Karikó, and Ferenc Krausz were born.
May more of them be born, may more of them succeed, and may there be more of us who, with their achievements, also serve the common good!
Thank you for listening, and congratulations with much love!