Robert Menasse received Pro Facultate Philosophiae award at SZTE Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Robert Menasse, one of the best-known authors of contemporary Austrian literature and an internationally renowned writer, was awarded the honorary title of Pro Facultate Philosophiae by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Szeged at the Faculty's academic year opening ceremony on September 11, 2024.

The Vienna-born Austrian essayist and novelist has gained international acclaim for his important works, some of which are also available in Hungarian. In 2017, he won the German Book Prize for "The Capital," and in 2023, he was awarded the European Book Prize for "Enlargement."

Robert Menasse has visited Hungary several times and is a regular guest in Szeged. In 2008, he presented his novel Expulsion from Hell to a packed audience at the Grand Café. On his last visit, in December 2023, he was a guest of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Szeged, where he spoke about Europe, the paradoxical functioning of the European Union, and the desired unity of the nation-states.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Szeged awards the Pro Facultate Philosophiae Prize to those who, through their work, have significantly contributed to the growth of the Faculty's national and international recognition. In its justification, the Faculty praised "Menasse's work for the cultural and literary relations between Austria and Hungary, but especially between Vienna and Szeged, which he presumably will continue to pursue in the future with the same selflessness".

Grand Café shared the happy news on Facebook that Menasse stopped by again on September 12. This time he brought a lovely gift to commemorate his 2008 visit: a photograph of Marlene Dietrich signed by the artist and a certificate authenticating the document.

Photos: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify