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5/21/26, 4:27 PM

Transylvania Lectures: How Long Can English Remain a Global Language?

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
The global dominance of English may seem almost unquestionable today, yet technological progress and geopolitical shifts could gradually reshape this reality. At the MCC Transylvania Lectures event held on May 20, 2026, Dr Mikołaj Sławkowski-Rode explored the historical and cultural factors that made English a global language and reflected on how sustainable this role may be in the long run.
4/27/26, 3:44 PM

Human Creativity and Artificial Intelligence: Who Owns the Future of Creation?

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
Can artificial intelligence truly be creative? How are the concepts of copyright and originality changing in the 21st century? At the April 24th event of the Transylvania Lectures series, the invited experts compared, contrasted, and analysed creative works produced by humans and algorithms from the perspectives of philosophy of art and computer science.
3/20/26, 1:47 PM

From Curriculum to Educational Spaces: MCC Conference Offered a Comprehensive View of Education

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
Teachers, architects, student representatives and researchers came together with a shared aim: to open a dialogue on a more thoughtful, responsible and future-oriented school system in Transylvania. The event took place on 19 March 2026 at the Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca centre of Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC).
2/20/26, 2:32 PM

Fragments, Silence, and Belonging – Kurtág György at 100 and the Question of Transylvanian Modernity

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On February 19, the MCC Center in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca hosted a special edition of the Transylvania Lectures series, marking the 100th birthday of György Kurtág – one of the most distinctive and influential voices of modern music. Born in Lugoj, in the Banat region, Kurtág’s life and work span a century marked by war, displacement, artistic reinvention, and radical musical compression.
1/15/26, 7:50 PM

“Faith can only be true if it is free” – The 1568 Edict of Torda and Its Legacy

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On 14 January, the MCC Center in Cluj/Kolozsvár hosted a new edition of Transylvania Lectures, titled “How Transylvania Pioneered Religious Freedom – The 1568 Edict of Torda/Turda and Its Legacy.” The event revisited one of the most important milestones in European cultural history: the Edict of Torda, adopted at the Diet of Torda held between 6 and 13 January 1568, presided over by the elected Hungarian king and Transylvanian prince János Zsigmond.
11/21/25, 5:37 PM

America’s War on Drugs: What 50 Years Have Taught Us — and What’s Next

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) hosted an in-depth discussion on November 20 in Kolozsvár/Cluj as part of the MCC Budapest Summit on the Global Drug Epidemic, examining the past 50 years of America’s drug policies and the rising threats shaping the next decade. The featured guest was Paul J. Larkin, Senior Legal Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
10/10/25, 1:58 PM

Debating for Diversity Forum in Ljubljana

Ljubljana
MCC aims to provide students with opportunities to participate in professional and intellectual dialogue at an international level. As part of the Debating for Diversity project’s international partnership, a prestigious debating forum will take place in Ljubljana between November 17–20, where participating young people will have the chance to showcase their talents.
9/26/25, 1:27 PM

Transylvania Lectures with Complexity Scientist Peter Turchin: Can the Collapse of Societies Be Foreseen Through Scientific Methods?

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
“History is not merely a collection of stories. It has patterns that can be studied scientifically,” emphasized Peter Turchin, complexity scientist, in his lecture in Kolozsvár/Cluj. Turchin became known as one of the founders of Cliodynamics, the groundbreaking new interdisciplinary science of history, that blends biology, history, and mathematics to reveal long-term dynamics of human cooperation and disintegration. On September 25, 2025, the renowned researcher was invited by Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) as a guest lecturer in the Transylvania Lectures series.
9/10/25, 10:38 AM

Transylvania Lectures: Understanding End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
8/26/25, 2:18 PM

From Learner to Mentor: University Student Brings Debate to High Schoolers at Cluj Hungarian Days

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
Although the Debating for Diversity project is designed primarily for university students, its impact is already reaching beyond campus walls. At this year’s Cluj Hungarian Days, an MCC student who has been training within the Erasmus+ project turned from participant into mentor—bringing the art of debate to curious high school students.
6/13/25, 2:15 PM

Voices Across Borders: Young Europeans Debate Diversity, Democracy, and the Future

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
Between January and June, students in Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia stepped onto an unusual stage—not one of theater or sport, but one of words, ideas, and conviction. As part of the Erasmus+ project Debating for Diversity, three organizations joined forces to nurture a culture of dialogue among young people. What they discovered was more than skill-building: it was a transformation of confidence, empathy, and civic spirit.
5/30/25, 4:41 PM

Power and Propaganda: Exploring Totalitarianism Through Law and Art

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On 29 May, an international group of scholars and law students explored the intricate entanglements between authoritarian power, cultural expression, and legal structures in the 20th century totalitarian regimes. The conference organized by Mathias Corvinus Collegium at Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca brought together experts and students from Italy, Hungary, and Romania.
5/16/25, 2:04 PM

Building Bridges in May: Partners Meet to Shape the Future of Debate

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
In May, the partners of the Debating for Diversity project came together—both in person and online—for a working meeting that proved to be as inspiring as it was productive. Hosted in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca, the gathering once again showed how international cooperation can flourish even in the face of challenges.
5/14/25, 12:26 PM

What Do Myths Teach Us? How Humanity Seeks to Grasp the Divine

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On May 13, 2025, the Transylvania Lectures series latest discussion, “Interpreting the Divine – Myth as Mediator of Theological Insight”, centered around the role of myth in religious understanding and spiritual reflection. Mathias Corvinus Collegium hosted British philosopher Anthony O’Hear at the MCC Center in Kolozsvár/Cluj. Moderated by MCC alumna Noémi Osváth, the discussion raised questions about transcendence, truth, and the enduring relevance of religious narratives.
5/2/25, 3:49 PM

The Strategic Dilemmas Facing Europe in the 21st Century

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
How should EU member states balance national sovereignty and European integration? In our modern, globalized world filled with crises, this question is becoming increasingly relevant. At the Transylvania Lectures event on April 30, invited experts examined the complex relationship between national interests and a unified Europe from a practical perspective.
4/17/25, 7:06 PM

Transylvania Lectures: The Challenges of Storytelling in the Era of Short-Form Content

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
How does short-form content affect storytelling? Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok all favor shorter videos—but what does this mean for storytelling as a genre? These and similar questions were explored at the April 16 edition of Transylvania Lectures, organized by Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca.
3/27/25, 3:41 PM

Transylvania Lectures: Transparency Needed in Regulating Artificial Intelligence

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
“It is difficult to regulate something we do not fully understand, especially when we do not yet know how it will affect our future,” explained innovation expert Norman Lewis, visiting fellow at MCC Brussels, during the March 26 edition of Transylvania Lectures. The event in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca brought together guests who debated the European Union’s stance on artificial intelligence and the effectiveness of its current approach, thoroughly analyzing arguments for and against AI regulation.
3/12/25, 11:19 AM

“Transparency has to be the solution” - Democracy and digital threats

Kolozsvár/Cluj
Digital media is inevitably shaping modern elections, says Dr Ilya Shapiro, the latest guest of the Transylvania Lectures series. On March 11, 2025, the Transylvania Lectures series hosted a riveting discussion on election interference and the constitutional risks and responses associated with it, featuring Dr. Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, and Dr. János Székely, assistant professor at Sapientia University.
3/5/25, 11:36 AM

Why the Silicon Valley Startup-Model Doesn’t Work Everywhere

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
A large number of cities around the world are striving to become the next Silicon Valley, but copying startup ecosystems and venture capital funds can be a costly dead end – warns Dr. Dan Breznitz, a globally recognized expert in innovation industries. What is the real solution, and what can Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca learn from this? The expert shed light on the misconceptions about innovation and technological development at the latest Transylvania Lectures event, organized by Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) in Kolozsvár/Cluj on March 4.
2/18/25, 4:49 PM

The Origins of Rights—Consciousness vs. Rationality

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
The latest edition of the Transylvania Lectures series in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca brought forth a stimulating debate on one of philosophy’s pressing questions: Where do rights come from? Featuring philosopher Dr. Nick Zangwill and Reverend Norbert Zsolt Rácz, the discussion examined the competing roles of consciousness and rationality in generating moral rights on February 17, 2025.
2/5/25, 1:57 PM

Why Debate Matters in 2025: Skills for Life and Democracy

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
In today’s world, young people are growing up in a landscape filled with information, challenges, and constant change. Social media creates echo chambers, fake news spreads faster than facts, and public discussions often turn into polarized shouting matches. Against this backdrop, the art of debate has never been more important.
1/29/25, 4:37 PM

Trump’s Reelection and the Global Political Shift

Kolozsvár/Cluj
Donald Trump’s reelection has not only reshaped American politics but has also sent ripples through the Western world, exacerbating existing crises and exposing deep political fault lines. As John O’Sullivan outlined at the latest Transylvania Lectures discussion, Trump’s return to power symbolizes a broader shift—one that challenges long-standing political orthodoxies and current power structures.
12/13/24, 4:59 PM

Totalitarianism, Art, and Law: How Art and Architecture Became Tools of Propaganda in the 20th Century Italy and Romania

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On December 12th, the Transylvania Lectures series, organized by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) hosted an engaging discussion exploring the intersection of totalitarianism, art, and law. Legal historian Prof. Dr. Giacomo Pace Gravina from the University of Messina and Sapientia University’s Prof. Dr. Emőd Veress shed light on how totalitarian regimes, particularly Fascist Italy under Mussolini and Communist Romania under Ceaușescu, utilized art and legal frameworks to control societal narratives and solidify power.
12/11/24, 12:48 PM

“Freedom Must Be Found Within Us” – An Intriguing and Chilling Story on the Big Screen

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
On December 10, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) invited attendees to an intriguing and chilling time-travel experience at the Cinema Victoria in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca. The evening’s centerpiece was Andrei Zincă's film So What’s Freedom?, followed by a thought-provoking discussion with the director about the concept of freedom, its contemporary relevance, and timeless significance.
12/10/24, 1:29 PM

Beyond Arguments: Exploring Different Styles of Debate

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
When we think of a debate, we often imagine two people standing at a podium, trying to outsmart each other with clever arguments. But the world of debating is much richer than that. Over the years, a variety of debate formats have been developed, each with its own style, rules, and purpose. In the Debating for Diversity project, our students are not only practicing debate skills, but also learning how different debate models can be used in schools, communities, and even everyday conversations.
11/20/24, 1:47 AM

American Republicanism at a Crossroads: Insights from MCC Transylvania Lectures

Kolozsvár/Cluj
In a period of intense political change and reflection, the latest Transylvania Lectures discussion titled American Republicanism at a Crossroads offered a timely exploration of America’s foundational principles, civic identity, and challenges to its democratic fabric. Centered on the 2024 presidential election and its implications, the lecture featured Dr. Jean Yarbrough, expert in American political thought, who engaged attendees in a deep dive into the enduring questions of governance and democracy in the United States.
11/8/24, 11:01 AM

MCC commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust in Transylvania at a thematic legal conference

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
It has been 80 years since Transylvania was affected by the Holocaust. Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) commemorated the event in a two-day conference, examining the atrocities committed across Europe from a legal perspective. The conference, which took place on 6-7 November, brought together international and national experts to examine how law has become a tool of oppression.
10/25/24, 4:03 PM

Erasmus+ Project 'Debating for Diversity' Empowers Eastern European Youth

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
A new Erasmus+ initiative is set to empower university students in Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia through debate and dialogue. The project, called Debating for Diversity: Fostering Intercultural Understanding and Civic Engagement, aims to enhance critical thinking skills and promote active participation in democratic processes among young people in the region.
10/18/24, 3:15 PM

Synthetic DNA as Data Storage – A Breakthrough Comparable to the Invention of Printing

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
We are facing a global data storage crisis. Storing and archiving digital data on traditional media like hard drives presents significant economic and ecological challenges. It’s expensive, and our current solutions are not built to last. DNA, nature’s oldest data storage medium, may hold the key to a sustainable future. This potential was explored in a lecture by bioinformatician Dr. Dina Zielinski at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) center in Kolozsvár/Cluj on October 17th.
7/7/24, 3:44 PM

Trusting AI Too Much Could Be Dangerous

Vibe Festival
Despite its flaws, millions of dollars are being invested in the artificial intelligence industry, and the level of trust people have in it is worrying - said AI expert, computer scientist and author Dr Emmanuel Maggiori on the drawbacks and limits of AI at Vibe Festival on 7 July. He was joined in a discussion with Ákos Péter, computer science student and member of the MCC University Program.
7/6/24, 2:52 PM

Fashion Tech Pioneer Presents her Creations at Vibe Festival

Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures
Festival-goers took a fresh look at fashion during a presentation by Dutch fashion designer and innovator Anouk Wipprecht on 6 July at Vibe Koli. Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is a professional partner of the festival’s knowledge forum in Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures from 4-7 July, with national and international guests, contributing with exciting topics to the rich schedule of the event.
7/5/24, 11:31 AM

Even the best strategies are worthless without freedom of speech

Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures
Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) participates as a professional partner at the Vibe Festival in Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures from 4-7 July. The organisation contributes to the festival’s knowledge forum, the Koli, with national and international guests and exciting topics. In these few days young people will have the opportunity to enjoy lively discussions and a wide range of interesting topics.
7/4/24, 3:13 PM

I’d Rather Die of Hunger than Live One Minute Without Freedom – The Yemeni Frida Fighting for the Rights of Children and Women

Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures
Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) participates as a professional partner of the Vibe Festival in Marosvásárhely/Târgu Mures from 4-7 July. The organisation will contribute to the event's knowledge forum, the Vibe Koli, with national and international guests and exciting topics. In these few days young people will have the opportunity to enjoy lively discussions and a wide range of interesting topics.
5/31/24, 3:13 PM

Transylvania Lectures Special Edition on Major Social Issues in Romania and Europe

Kolozsvár/Cluj
Local and international experts analyzed on Thursday 30 May in Kolozsvár/Cluj the issues raised by Romania's accession to the Schengen area and the increasing volume of migration in the country and in Europe at two panel discussions held at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC). The special edition of the Transylvania Lectures series was dedicated to the upcoming European Parliament elections and focused on key questions affecting Romania and Europe.
5/30/24, 9:16 PM

“Each one of us has a responsibility to protect freedom” – MCC Transylvania Lectures About Art, Historical Narratives, and Censorship

Kolozsvár/Cluj
Agnieszka Kolek, artist, curator, head of Cultural Engagement at MCC in Brussels, and Mara-Victoria Raţiu, associate professor at the University of Art and Design in Cluj were the latest guests of MCC’s Transylvania Lectures series on 28 May in the MCC center in Kolozsvár/Cluj. The guest speakers discussed the relationship between art and freedom of expression, the revelation of collective grievances of the past, censorship and the challenges facing artists today.
5/23/24, 2:22 PM

Are Our Cities Sustainable? – Geoffrey West Talked About the Science of Cities and Companies at MCC

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
The audience was a handshake away from John von Neumann, Edward Teller and Robert Oppenheimer at Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s (MCC) event in Klozsvár/Cluj on 22 May. The guest speaker of the Transylvania Lectures series was Dr Geoffrey West, one of today's most respected theoretical physicists. The 83-year-old expert presented his theory exploring the great interconnections between cities, companies, and sustainability. His partner in discussion was Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy, founder of Brain Bar Festival.
4/26/24, 2:06 PM

Transylvania Lectures: How much should we trust AI?

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
At the latest Transylvania Lectures event on 24 April, organized by Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), AI expert, computer scientist and author Dr. Emmanuel Maggiori spoke about the hidden realities, the drawbacks and the dangers of overconfidence of the AI industry. Despite its defects, millions of dollars and an infinite amount of hype is being poured in it, even though the huge AI bubble could burst soon.
4/17/24, 8:18 AM

Transylvania Lectures: Our prejudices have real effects on society

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca, Csíkszereda/Miercurea Ciuc, Sepsiszentgyörgy/Sfântu Gheorghe
How natural is our suspicions and fearful attitudes towards strangers and their customs? What about entire societies, who view themselves through the lense of animosity? Are our differences and ignorance the culprits? These were some of the topics discussed at the most recent edition of MCC’s Transylvania Lectures, held in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca on the 12th of April.
3/28/24, 11:09 AM

“When in doubt, say yes” – An Insight Into Global Exchange Programs at MCC’s Transylvania Lectures

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
As our world grows more and more interconnected, the value of international exchange programs increases as well. These can act as bridges that connect cultures, enhance career growth and foster international understanding. Participants of these programs not only get the chance for personal growth and learning, but also offer wider career opportunities and expand professional networks across borders.
3/26/24, 10:56 AM

Lingua Franca vs. Linguistic Heritage Debated at MCC Transylvania Lectures

Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca
The practical benefits of using universal languages, the international dominance of English and the complex issues of preserving our rich linguistic heritage were discussed by invited experts at the latest Transylvania Lectures event in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca, organised by Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC).