Embassy News

Hungarian Poet Continues to Enrich Hungary and America 10 years after U.S. Cultural Exchange

Mr. Petőcz at the debut of "A Ray of Sunlight" (photo courtesy of Linda Vadász)

In 1998, poet and novelist, András Petőcz was a rising star in Hungary's literary firmament. Recognizing his stature, the U.S. Embassy invited him to represent his country at the 3-month Iowa University International Writing Program.  Highly competitive, only a small number of accomplished literary figures from all over the world take part in Iowa's curriculum of research, writing, and travel.  After Mr. Petőcz returned to Hungary, the Embassy was delighted to assist in the publication of a volume of poetry inspired by this cultural exchange entitled "Napfényes sávban." 

Some 10 years later, on February 7, 2008, under the title "A Ray of Sunlight" the English-language version (translated by Nathaniel Barratt) had its debut.  Corvina Publishing House Director László Kúnos introduced the book with selections read by Hungarian-American arts supporter Gaston Vadasz.  Between readings, Mr. Petőcz recalled his experience at the Iowa Program in a discussion with Corvina's Language Editor Esther Ronay.  Petőcz spoke in glowing terms of the Iowa exchange program, affirming that it changed his view of America and continues to inform his writing.  Petőcz went on to win several Hungarian literary awards, and most recently, the UNESCO-Aschberg Scholarship, granted to leading writers to produce a new novel.