On Saturday, 10 October 2026, Tekelijanum in Budapest hosted a ceremonial forum titled Matica Srpska – Two Centuries of Existence and Contemporary Challenges, dedicated to a major milestone—the bicentennial of the founding of the oldest Serbian literary, cultural, and scientific institution. This forum marked the beginning of the Serbian Days – Month of Serbian Culture in Hungary event, organized by the Eparchy of Buda.

The ceremony opened with an address by His Eminence Metropolitan Lukijan of Buda, who highlighted the historical and spiritual significance of Matica Srpska.

H.E. Aleksandra Đurović, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Hungary, also addressed the attendees, saying that the Month of Serbian Culture in Hungary served as a vital platform for preserving, presenting, and promoting Serbian cultural heritage. It connects the past and the present, brings together artists, scholars, and members of the Serbian community, and builds bridges between Serbian and Hungarian cultures. She noted that this year’s celebration carried special significance, as it marked a major milestone—the 200th anniversary of the founding of Matica Srpska. The fact that Matica Srpska was established in Pest holds particular symbolism for Hungarian Serbs.

‘Two centuries of Matica Srpska are more than just a jubilee of a single institution, they are two centuries of dedication to preserving language, knowledge, culture, and identity. It is a legacy that binds present generations as well,’ said Ambassador Đurović, adding that ‘by preserving culture, we preserve memory; by preserving faith, language, and traditions, we preserve identity; and by passing them on to the youth, we secure their future.’

A ceremonial forum followed, during which prominent representatives of Matica Srpska and its institutions, in addition to the Serbian academic and cultural spheres, shed light on various aspects of its bicentennial existence and contemporary activities. After the forum, a guided tour of the exhibition Migrations Continue Eternally – Through the Eyes of Tekelijanum Across the Centuries was led by Milkica Popović of the Museum of Vojvodina. The exhibition offered attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the rich history of Tekelijanum and its role in the cultural and spiritual life of the Serbian people.

Source and photo: Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Hungary