Reliving 'Wonderful Memories'

Szilvia Szojka [Women of China English Monthly/Zhang Jiamin]

Szilvia Szojka arrived in China for the first time in 1999 as a scholarship student. During her college years, she was impressed by the wonderful view of the city when she watched the sunrise from the top of Jingshan Hill. She enjoyed going back in time as she wandered around in Beijing's old hutong alleys or as she watched the Chinese elderly drawing Chinese characters on the ground with huge water-soaked brushes in Beihai Park. Fifteen years later, in June 2014, she came back to Beijing to assume her post at the Embassy of Hungary as Deputy Head of Mission.

In March on behalf of the Hungarian Embassy, Szojka attended the opening ceremony of the month-long cultural festival in Beijing's Minzu Hotel that promoted Hungarian cuisine, folk music, history, tourism and development of education. She told the gathering that she hoped to help blaze a trail in Sino-Hungarian communications.

During a recent interview with Women of China (WOC), Szojka shared her experiences in China, both as a student and a diplomat. She also provided some insight into Hungarian culture, and she recommended various Hungarian dishes and tourist spots of her home country. The following is an excerpt of the interview:
 
WOC: What sparked your interest in China?

Szojka: I first arrived in China at the end of August 1999. I lived in Beijing for one year as a scholarship student at Beijing Language and Culture University to learn the Chinese language. Before I came to China, I had studied Chinese history, culture, literature and philosophy at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. In 2003, I came back for the second time as a student to study ancient Chinese philosophy for one and a half years at Peking University.

I developed an interest in China when I was very young. At that time, I was fascinated by the beautiful hanzi (Chinese characters), and I had hoped that one day I would be able to read a book written in Chinese. By now there are dozens of Chinese literary works and books on social sciences or the arts that I have read in original. The first Chinese book I managed to read was Huozhe (To Live, a novel written by Yu Hua).

WOC: Have you been impressed by the changes that China has undergone over the years? If so, which changes have most impressed you?

Szojka: I feel very lucky that, during the past 15 years, I have visited China many times. I have witnessed Beijing's growth from an old city, full of history, to a modern metropolis, full of high-rise buildings and well-improved infrastructure.

The first time I came to Beijing, I felt that great changes had occurred in the capital, which was transitioning itself into a modern global metropolis. When I visited Beijing after the Olympic Games, I noticed that minibuses, formerly the most commonly used vehicles for public transportation, had disappeared. A great number of bicycles had been replaced by motorcycles and brand-new cars that flood the streets. Skyscrapers and modern compounds were occupying the city like growing spring bamboo shoots.
 
WOC: Since you joined the embassy's staff, what achievements have been made in Sino-Hungarian economic cooperation, cultural communications and people-to-people exchanges?

Szojka: I assumed my post at the embassy in June 2014. I am glad to arrive at a time when cooperation between China and Hungary is flourishing. For instance the supply of Hungary's agricultural products in the Chinese market has been growing. Since we finished relevant examination and approval procedures last year, consumers in China have been able to buy beef, pork and duck produced in Hungary.

Last year, the China-Central and Eastern European Tourism Coordination Centre, with the objective of advancing tourism between China and countries in Central and Eastern Europe, was established in Budapest. In terms of infrastructural cooperation, it is a great step that direct flights between Budapest and Beijing will be scheduled from May, which will facilitate travel between the two cities and help develop tourism in both countries.

WOC: A month-long cultural festival, Hungarian Rhapsody, opened in Beijing on March 13. That event highlighted Hungarian folk music and traditional Hungarian cuisine. Could you please share with us your favorite Hungarian foods and introduce some tourist spots in your home country?

Szojka: Hungary is located in the heart of Europe. It is a country with beautiful landscapes, and a lot of places of interest. Its capital Budapest is a city full of surprises and wonder, with its lively center, pretty parks, majestic river, tall church spires and lavish spas. I definitely recommend tourists to enjoy the traditional hot-spring baths!

You should not miss the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee in a small café in this city. In fact, the history of establishing cafés in Budapest dates back 200 years. Cafés located in this city are venues for gatherings among writers, politicians or lovers.

The Opera House is not only the sanctum of music and dance, but also a historical monument. The world-famous neo-renaissance palace has remained virtually unchanged in the 130 years since its opening performance and it continues to attract admirers of opera and ballet alike.

The palace of Elisabeth Amalia Eugenia von Wittelsbach, commonly known as Princess Sissi, is situated 24 kilometers from Budapest. This royal residency was the most beloved sojourn of Princess Sissi. Nowadays the baroque palace is open to the public. A stroll around the gardens of the Royal Palace following the footsteps of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, Sissi, recalls historical times. Couples who long for a romantic wedding can apply to have their wedding ceremony and reception at this charming place.

The cultural festival, which ended in mid-April, was a great success. Participants from China, and other countries, were impressed by the delicious Hungarian foods and wine. In addition, we organized a series of activities to introduce Hungary's education, tourism industry, advanced technology achievements, and issues related to business investment.

Regarding my favorite foods, I like grilled fish and meat, which are served with a salad or vegetables. I would like to recommend grilled rainbow trout that tastes sensational. This kind of fish is a perfect match with either fresh salad or roasted vegetables.

Hungary is renowned for its delightful repertoire of fine pastries and cakes. I love the Hungarian fruit cakes — especially in summer — made with fresh fruits and topped with whipped cream. The more traditional and popular Hungarian dessert called Somloi galuska (Somlo Sponge Cake), made with three different-flavored sponge cakes, pastry cream, raisins, walnuts, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, is also one of my favourites.

WOC: Have you been to other places in China? What places do you hope to visit?

Szojka: I have been to many provinces and autonomous regions, including Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi Zhuang and Jiangsu. I was impressed by the national park in Jiuzhaigou (300 kilometers from Chengdu, capital of southwestern China's Sichuan Province). The clear water of the lakes was a fascinating turquoise-blue color, which I will never forget.

I hope to explore more places of the beautiful nature around China. For example, I would like to visit Xishuangbanna (in southern Yunnan Province) or climb Mount Huang (in Anhui Province).

(Source: Women of China English Monthly May 2015 Issue)