Nearly 900 nominations were submitted this year by professional organizations, civil groups, and former laureates. From these, the Prima Primissima Foundation board selected 30 outstanding figures, all of whom will receive a Prima Award, while 10 of whom will be elevated to the title of Prima Primissima at a gala ceremony on Dec. 5 at the Palace of Arts in Budapest.
Launched in 2003 with the mission of preserving and celebrating Hungary’s intellectual and cultural achievements, the award has become a symbol of merit that transcends politics and power.
“The hundreds of nominations we receive every year prove that countless artists, scientists, athletes, journalists, and educators are able to turn talent into success and become true role models,” says Sándor Csányi, the chairman and CEO of OTP Bank Group and the head of the foundation’s board. “We believe that the 30 Primas we introduce this year will inspire many others to find their own path to success.”
The awards are presented by the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSz), which established the prize with its then head, the late businessman Sándor Demján, the former chairman of real estate developer TriGránit, who died on March 26, 2018. Since 2013, OTP Bank has managed and financed the foundation.
Over the past two decades, the award has expanded to include the County Prima Awards, the Junior Prima Awards, and several audience-vote recognitions. To ensure the prize remains a worthy recognition, prize amounts were significantly increased last year.
Winners of the Prima Primissima receive HUF 20 million, Prima Award recipients HUF 8 mln, Junior Prima winners HUF 3 mln, and County Prima Award recipients HUF 2 mln. Additionally, the Prima Primissima Audience Award, offered by Lídia Demján, carries a HUF 20 mln prize.
Public voting will again play a crucial role this year. Between late October and the end of November, the public can vote for their favorite nominee by sending the candidate’s two-digit code via SMS. The nominee with the most votes will receive the Audience Award at the December gala. As an added incentive, one voter will win HUF 1 mln on an OTP Bank card. Voting information and nominee profiles are available on the foundation’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages, as well as on YouTube and Spotify, where the “Példaképlet” (Role Model) podcast features stories from past winners.
The 2025 Prima nominees represent Hungary’s most inspiring talent across 10 categories:
In literature, names like Katalin Ladik, the neo-avant-garde poet known for merging sound and visual art, and Zsolt Nagy Koppány, an acclaimed novelist and translator exploring the complexities of the human psyche, stand out. Playwright András Visky, whose works are shaped by his childhood in a communist internment camp, brings deeply personal narratives to the stage.
The theater, film, and dance category features household names such as Imre Csuja, celebrated for his stage versatility and iconic film roles, Zsolt László, renowned for his Shakespearean interpretations, and Éva Vári, whose career spans decades of dramatic and musical performances.
In the visual and applied arts, József Gaál’s mythologically inspired sculptures, László Hefter’s pioneering stained-glass work, and Tibor Pataki’s globally unique “book sculptures” represent the diversity and depth of Hungarian artistry.
Hungarian science is represented by Dr. Mária Gósy, a pioneer in speech perception research, Prof. Tamás Masszi, a leading hematologist in stem cell therapy, and Dr. Csaba Pléh, a cognitive psychologist whose research bridges language and cognition.
Education nominees include Dr. Kálmán Dráfi, a pianist whose students have achieved international acclaim; Dr. Árpád Juhász, a geologist and science communicator with over 30 books; and Klára Pataki, a groundbreaking specialist in autism education.
Architecture nominees such as András Tibor Kertész, László Szász, and Zsolt Vasáros are celebrated for designs that combine functionality, aesthetic value, and environmental consciousness.
In media and public education, Katalin Szám, János Szilágyi, and Gábor Wéber are recognized for their contributions to journalism, broadcasting, and motorsport commentary.
The sports category features icons like Péter Biros, a three-time Olympic water polo champion; Fanni Illés, a decorated Paralympic swimmer; and Tibor Nyilasi, a legendary footballer, coach, and sports commentator whose career shaped Hungarian football history.
The traditional culture selection includes Éva Fábián, a champion of Hungarian folk singing; Lajos Kassai, the world’s foremost horseback archer; and Norbert “Cimbi” Kovács, a driving force in the táncház (folk dance) movement.
Finally, in music, the Cantemus Choir continues Hungary’s choral legacy worldwide, Károly “Charlie” Horváth blends jazz, soul, and rock in his enduring music career, and Kálmán Záborszky leads innovative orchestral programs as conductor and educator.
Beyond the prestige, the Prima Primissima Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the values that continue to define Hungary’s cultural and intellectual identity. From groundbreaking scientific research to the preservation of centuries-old traditions, the laureates embody the country’s enduring commitment to excellence, creativity, and public service.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 31, 2025.
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