“We wanted to hear the truth from a trustworthy person, a Second World War hero, who was imprisoned by the Nazis and then by the Communists. The legendary professor set a roadmap for our political goals”, said the Prime Minister of Hungary, referring to his academic teacher Prof. Wacław Felczak, who played an important part in the foundation of Hungarian opposition movement in the 1970s and the 1980s.
The Prime Minister’s visit at the Jagiellonian University started with a tour of the JU Museum Collegium Maius, where he saw the main exhibition, learning about the history of the oldest Polish academic institution, and signed the visitor’s book in Stuba Communis room. Then the head of Hungarian Government attended the international conference “Europa Centralis – history of the region throughout the ages” in Collegium Maius Assembly Hall, organised in collaboration with the Hungarian Consulate General in Kraków and the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Warsaw. The academic meeting marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Wacław Felczak, who contributed to the formation of Hungarian opposition during the period of Communist rule.
As a student of Law at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Victor Orban attended Prof. Wacław Felczak’s lectures when the Polish historian was a visiting professor at this institution. The future Hungarian prime minister asked Prof. Felczak for advice regarding the course of action in Hungary. The Polish scholar’s advice resulted in the foundation of Fidesz political party, which became the leading force of Hungarian opposition movement. Wacław Felczak was admitted as an honorary member of Fidesz in 1991.
“I distinctly remember when I asked him in the late 80s to lecture us about Poland and the Solidarity movement. We wanted to hear the truth from a trustworthy person, a Second World War hero, who was imprisoned by the Nazis and then by the Communists. The legendary professor set a roadmap for our political goals. He advised us to create a political party, warning us that we will most probably be jailed, but there are signs that we probably won’t stay in prison too long”, said Victor Orban, adding that Prof. Felczak became an emissary and ambassador of Solidarity in Hungary. The Prime Minister paid tribute to his memory and his services to the Hungarian nation.
The JU Vice-Rector for Research and Structural Funds Prof. Stanisław Kistryn thanked Victor Orban for visiting the Jagiellonian University. He said that Wacław Felczak was “a living example of the Polish- Hungarian friendship”. “Professor Felczak was both a great scholar and a decent man, which is, in fact , a more challenging task. I would like to thank you for giving your precious time to pay tribute to your teacher and mentor. We will always remember and appreciate this.”
The Hungarian Prime Minister concluded his visit by laying flowers at Prof. Wacław Felczak’s memorial plaque in Witkowski College.
