The Interuniversity Center for French Studies: A Hub for Franco-Hungarian Exchange

The interuniversity Center for French Studies (CIEF), a Franco-Hungarian institution established in December 1990, serves as a vital bridge connecting the cultures of France and Hungary. As the counterpart to the Interuniversity Center for Hungarian Studies (CIEH) at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle-Paris III University, the CIEF, affiliated with Eötvös Loránd University (Elte) in Budapest, fosters a dynamic environment for French language and culture.

According to Deputy Director NIV Schvartz,under the leadership of Dávid Szabó,the CIEF aims to be a vibrant space where French language and culture are celebrated daily. The center provides resources such as a media library, hosts cultural events, facilitates collaborative projects with universities, and offers informal gatherings like readings, film screenings, and language clubs. It’s a place where language and connection intertwine.

Celebrating Francophonie: Highlights from March

March holds special significance for the CIEF, as it is traditionally dedicated to Francophonie. A key event is the annual Great Dictation of the CIEF.The 18th edition, held on March 28th, drew over 400 participants, including contestants, judges, guests, and volunteers. This event welcomes french language enthusiasts of all levels, focusing each year on the literature of a specific French-speaking country.

This year’s event received notable diplomatic recognition, with prizes awarded by the director of the French Institute in Hungary and the ambassadors of Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland. This symbolic gesture underscored the event’s importance and fostered a warm, celebratory atmosphere.

One of the selected texts was an excerpt from The Tributaries, a contemporary ancient novel by Bisame corvin, a pen name for two Franco-Hungarian sisters. The novel, partially set in Hungary, explores themes of family memory, historical events, and the search for identity, resonating deeply with the participants.

Engaging with Literature: The Reading Club Experience

Complementing the Great Dictation, the CIEF also hosts a reading club. On March 19th, Claire Hunyadi, one of the authors of The Tributaries, joined the readers for an engaging evening. The event featured discussions,readings,and insights into the novel,proving to be a highlight of the Francophonie month.

A Multifaceted Approach: Regular Activities at the CIEF

Beyond the annual dictation, the CIEF offers a diverse range of activities.Thes include international conferences, doctoral seminars, scientific conferences, and the publication of the French Studies Review in collaboration with Hungarian universities. The center also maintains a media library with extensive educational and audiovisual resources for students, teachers, and anyone passionate about the French language.

The Future of Francophonie in Hungary: The CIEF’s Role

The Francophonie in hungary is dynamic and constantly evolving. The CIEF plays a crucial role in this evolution by providing diverse activities that cater to a wide audience. The center aims to go beyond simply teaching the French language and culture, fostering concrete exchanges and collaborations that enrich intellectual thought and human connections.

According to a recent report by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), French is the fifth most spoken language in the world, with over 300 million speakers across five continents.This highlights the importance of institutions like the CIEF in promoting and preserving the language and culture.

We seek to go beyond the simple transmission of French language and culture, by promoting concrete exchanges and enriching collaborations which nourish both intellectual reflections and human relations.

NIV Schvartz, Deputy Director of the CIEF

Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Initiatives

The CIEF plans to continue building connections both within Hungary and internationally.This includes strengthening international partnerships and expanding the media library with new resources for learning, dreaming, and escaping. The center also aims to broaden its range of activities, including conferences, workshops, screenings, and social events, all in the spirit of openness and sharing.

The reading, gastronomy, and cinema clubs will continue. This semester,the cinema club is focusing on the French New Wave,with screenings followed by discussions. This provides an possibility to rediscover this innovative movement that blended everyday life with a fresh perspective on the world.

Two major upcoming events include the conference “Noir novel, detective novel,” which will explore the literary and cultural aspects of these popular genres, and the co-institution, with the French studies Department, of the colloquium “250 years of French studies at the University of Budapest,” scheduled for late september. This colloquium will provide an opportunity to reflect on the long and rich history of French studies in Budapest and to consider its future.