The National Final was held at the British Embassy in Budapest on the 3rd April 2009, at the invitation of the Ambassador Mr Greg Dorey. Oxford University Press, represented by Jobbagy Ilona, Embassy provided prizes for all of the contestants as did the Embassy. The English Speaking Union also provided medals for the winner and the two runners up.
The Hungarian Final of the International Public Speaking Competition, once again will send competitors to London for the final on the 21st May. There will be two representing Hungary; Last year’s winner Bence Morvai and this year’s winner Anna Kornafeld pictured left with the chairman of judges, Mr. Willy Benko.
The theme highlighted the individual making a difference to the present conditions of global warming and recycling and renewable energy were almost universally the topics of the speeches.
The winners, judges, sponsors and organisers.
Left to right: Ilona Jobbagy (Oxford University Press), Anna Kornafeld (winner 2009), Viktoria Kovacs (runner-up 2009), Gary Lukatch (judge – 1st time), Ferencz Barnabas (runner-up 2009), Kiss Rita (judge – for the 4th time), Willy Benko (chairman of judges – 1st time), HMA Greg Dorey, Steve Jones (Chairman ESU Hungary).
The main organiser of the event was Judit Borszeki as for the past several years.
The competitors, all winners of regional events, were:
Katinka Gyuris (Debrecen)
Timea Molnar (Budapest)
Peter Parkanyi (Pecs)
Alexandra Rakolcai (Budapest)
Anna Kornafeld (Nyiregyhaza)
Ferencz Barnabas (Pecs)
Viktoria Kovacs (Koszeg)
Ferenc Orosz (Nyiregyhaza)
Bence Morvai (Pecs)