On January 5, 2026, marking the 72nd birthday of László Krasznahorkai – recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Kossuth Prize, and the József Attila Prize – the University of Szeged celebrated its alumnus with a quiz-style Q&A game, offered engaging insights into the author’s work and the Nobel Prize itself, while also promoting reading and encouraging literary curiosity more broadly.
In line with its commitment to public outreach and knowledge sharing, the University of Szeged places particular emphasis on highlighting outstanding figures from the arts, especially those connected to the institution as alumni.
Following László Krasznahorkai’s receipt of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, the University of Szeged informed the public – on the day the decision was announced – that the world-renowned Hungarian writer began his higher education studies at the Faculty of Law of József Attila University (JATE), a predecessor institution of today’s University of Szeged. The announcement also noted that Krasznahorkai’s earliest writings were published in the University’s student newspaper. In addition, the communication drew attention to a striking coincidence: the 1973–1974 academic year saw not only László Krasznahorkai enroll at JATE, but also biology student Katalin Karikó, whose groundbreaking scientific achievements were later recognized with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
SZTE’s news portal has reported extensively on the student years and career paths of Nobel Prize-winning former students of the University of Szeged, while also covering developments related to the JATE Award established by Katalin Karikó. In addition, the portal published exclusive information and photographs documenting the first in-person meeting between Katalin Karikó and László Krasznahorkai.
Within the community of University of Szeged, home to several Nobel laureates, the period surrounding the world’s most renowned scientific and literary award has come to be regarded as a genuine time of celebration. Accordingly, as Nobel Week 2025 unfolded in Stockholm, participants in SZTE’s Nobel Day program engaged in a multi-layered experience tracing the path of László Krasznahorkai. The program included a live screening of the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony on December 10, complemented by storytelling sessions, public readings from the author’s works, a documentary film, the viewing of the Nobel lecture, and a 12 + 10-question quiz game.
The University of Szeged is now marking the birthday of László Krasznahorkai, who was born on January 5, 1954, in Gyula, with a dedicated birthday quiz. To coincide with the Nobel Prize-winning author’s 72nd birthday on January 5, 2026, a set of questions was made accessible to all students of the University. Members of the university community who take part in the quiz will be eligible for a prize draw organized by the Directorate of International Affairs and Public Relations, promoting reading and a shared sense of academic and cultural belonging to JATE and SZTE.
The leadership and community of the University of Szeged extend their congratulations to László Krasznahorkai on the occasion of his birthday, taking pride in the fact that the University in Szeged is among his alma maters.
In 2026, the University of Szeged will continue to highlight the work and achievements of Nobel Prize winners associated with the institution, with particular attention to its alumni.
Source: SZTEinfo
Feature photo: Courtesy of the Nobel Prize website
