Katalin Karikó receives this year's main prize of the Szegedért Foundation, the recognition of the civil organization will be presented at a gala program on the anniversary of the great flood of 1879, on March 12.
According to the announcement, the purpose of the Szegedért Foundation has remained unchanged since 1989: to recognize outstanding performers and those who increase the international status of Szeged, as well as to support the implementation of valuable initiatives and events from the point of view of the city.
Based on the decision of the board of trustees, the foundation's main prize this year will be awarded to biochemist Katalin Karikó, who graduated in Szeged and whose first job was the Szeged Biological Research Center. He continued his research career in the United States. Katalin Karikó and her colleagues have eternal merit in the development of the mRNA vaccine used in the global treatment of the coronavirus epidemic.
The Béla Szőkefalvi-Nagy Award of the scientific board of trustees was awarded to academician dermatologist Lajos Kemény. The József Gregor Award of the artistic board of trustees will be given to Mária Temesi, opera singer, vocal master, and opera ambassador. Astronomer Károly Szatmáry, founder and head of the Szeged Star Observatory, won the Debreczeni Pál Award of the social-citizen board of trustees.
The grand prize winner will receive his small sculpture entitled The Muse of Szeged by the sculptor András Lapis. Since 2006, the people of Szeged have been able to meet the slim female figure in a hat every day, as it decorates Gyula Glattfelder Square as a public sculpture. The prize winners of the expert curatorships can receive the sculptor's plaque.
The awardees can receive their awards on March 12 - the anniversary of the great flood of 1879 - in the framework of a large-scale gala program at the National Theater in Szeged. The Molnár Dixieland Band, Fool Moon and Suhancok Dance Group will perform in the program.
Source: MTI
