Talent is among the greatest strengths of the Hungarian nation, and society bears both responsibility and opportunity in how this asset is recognized and put to use, said the region’s member of parliament at the inauguration of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s new training centre in Szolnok on Monday.
Mária Kállai stressed that Szolnok and its surrounding county have become important hubs for talent development, supported by effective partnerships and long-standing professional work. She noted that Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County is home to 55 officially recognized talent centres and has achieved numerous awards and outstanding competition results.
According to the lawmaker, the city offers an inspiring environment for young talents, a role increasingly recognized by students and families alike. One of the key venues for this work is the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, which has become a widely recognized name alongside other talent development institutions.
Kállai recalled that MCC arrived in Szolnok ten years ago and quickly integrated into the city’s intellectual life. With the opening of the new facility, the organization now also has a permanent, purpose-built physical home, further enriching the region.
She praised MCC’s clear vision and strong value system, noting that the institution defines its mission as beginning where traditional education ends. This approach, she said, is increasingly reflected in everyday cultural and social life. She underlined the importance of educating young people who are open-minded, capable of informed debate, and willing to serve their communities and take responsibility for others.
The work carried out at MCC, she added, helps students find their own paths, while cooperation and workshop-based learning contribute to long-term development and competitiveness.
In his address, MCC Director General Zoltán Szalai recalled that the building housing the new Szolnok centre once served as a home for travelling theatre troupes and later as an actors’ residence. He expressed hope that the former stage would now become a springboard for young talents.
Szalai said nearly 200 students are currently studying in the renovated complex. The more than 500-square-metre facility includes classrooms, a language lab, a library room, an event hall and community spaces, while also hosting MCC’s established programmes and new initiatives. He voiced confidence that the centre would become a meeting place of heart and mind, and a home for culture, learning and community life in Szolnok.
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