The ball also served as an official start for the Godparent programme.

The ball opened with the traditional parade and dances presented by the graduates and continued with the opening ceremony of the Godparent programme. The patrons of this year’s ball were Dr. Szőcs Gyula Kálmán, the initiator of the programme and MEP Sógor Csaba, who was the first one to become a godparent. Hungarian ambassador in Bucharest Fűzes Oszkár and Hungarian consul at Cluj Szilágyi Mátyás also attended the ball.

Szőcs Ildikó, principal of Bethlen Gábor High School stressed the importance of the Godparent programme in the diaspora Hungarian education at the ceremony. She also stated that all supporters who wish to aid talented children with their studies at the Bethlen High School are welcomed to join the programme.

MEP Sógor Csaba drew attention to the fact that the Bethlen Gábor School has a great tradition in Transylvanian education and that many of the great figures of Hungarian history had studied there. – Transylvania had a golden age during the rule of Prince Bethlen Gábor because he established the basis of a modern education system. Aside from bringing renowned scholars to the region, he also supported gifted children, even providing them with the opportunity to study abroad – said the MEP who considers that talented young people should still be given a helping hand.

The aim of the Godparent programme is to attract supporters for the students of the school with poor social backgrounds. Due to the particularity of the programme, sponsors can choose themselves a child to sponsor, in order to enhance the possibility of developing a closer, more interpersonal connection. The management of the school promotes the programme in Hungary as well, but is also counting on the solidarity of the Hungarian community in Transylvania.