Project coordinator:
Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre (HNM-PCC)
1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 14-16., Hungary
Website: www.mnm.hu
E-mail/Coordinator: Klaudia Klára Tvergyák, tvergyak.klaudia@mnm.hu,
Project partners:
Center of Christian Culture and Formation
Benedyktyńska St. no. 5, Jarosław, 37-500, Poland
Statutory representative: Marek Pieńkowski
E-mail: projekty@opactwo.pl
Website: https://www.opactwo.pl/
Rákóczi Castle Borsi (Francis Rákóczi II. Nonprofit Organisation)
F. Rákócziho 102/32, Borša, 07632, Slovakia
Statutory representative: Dr. Diószegi László
E-mail: office@rakoczino.eu
Website: https://www.borsikastely.eu/
Short description of the project:
The project aims to develop new non-formal learning materials centered on Francis Rákóczi II, engaging youth groups from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. This initiative involves collaboration between cultural and educational institutions to create a mentoring framework that supports young people in peer-learning and co-designing processes. The project will include a Rákóczi tour and a mini festival.
Duration: 1 March 2025 - 31 August 2026
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The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund https://www.visegradfund.org/. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
Launching a Journey Through History: The First “Rákóczi On Tour” Webinar Marks the Beginning of an International Project
The “Rákóczi On Tour” project officially began its international webinar series in March 2025, bringing together students and teachers from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland for the first step in a shared journey through the life and legacy of Francis Rákóczi II. Organised by the Hungarian National Museum, the opening webinar introduced participants to a project that combines history, digital learning, creativity, and international cooperation.
The session began with an overview of the project's vision and objectives. Participants learned how the initiative aims to bring the story of Francis Rákóczi II closer to young people through innovative educational methods, encouraging them to explore the shared cultural heritage of Central Europe while working together across borders.
The Hungarian National Museum also presented the project's timeline, outlining the activities planned for the coming months. These include a series of thematic webinars, an international study tour to historically significant locations associated with the Rákóczi family, and the development of creative student projects that will be presented at a historical festival in Sárospatak in the summer of 2026.
A key part of the webinar was the introduction of the project partners. Students and teachers had the opportunity to meet the participating institutions from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, gaining their first insight into the international collaboration that will define the project. By bringing together schools, museums, and heritage organisations, the initiative creates a unique environment where historical knowledge can be exchanged alongside different cultural perspectives and experiences.
The webinar also looked ahead to the next stage of the programme. Participants discussed the tasks that would prepare them for the second webinar, including familiarising themselves with the historical background of Francis Rákóczi II and exploring digital learning materials that would support the upcoming interactive sessions. These preparatory activities were designed to ensure that students would actively contribute to the learning process rather than simply observe it.
As the opening event of the series, the first webinar established the foundations for an ambitious international project. By combining historical research, museum expertise, digital technology, and collaborative learning, “Rákóczi On Tour” invites young people to discover how the past continues to shape the cultural identity of Central Europe while developing the skills needed for future international cooperation.
Exploring the World of Francis Rákóczi II: The Second “Rákóczi On Tour” Webinar Inspires Young Learners
The “Rákóczi On Tour” project continued its international webinar series on 5 May 2025, bringing together students and teachers to discover the fascinating world of Francis Rákóczi II. The online event focused on the historical era in which Rákóczi lived, the influential family that shaped his life, and the cultural heritage that continues to preserve his legacy today.
The webinar began with a welcome from Klaudia Tvergyák, the project's coordinator, who introduced participants to the aims of the “Rákóczi On Tour” initiative. She also presented an overview of the webinar series and offered a preview of the international Rákóczi Tour, scheduled for July 2025, during which students will visit key locations connected to the life of the famous Hungarian prince.
The main educational programme was led by Viktória Szabó, museum educator at the Hungarian National Museum, who developed the learning materials together with Flóra Kecskés and Vivien Dobis. Rather than relying on traditional presentations, the team used innovative digital platforms, including ThingLink and Genially, to create an interactive learning experience that encouraged students to actively explore history.
Participants travelled back to the early eighteenth century to discover the political landscape of Europe, learning about the major kingdoms and rulers of Rákóczi's time. They also explored the family tree of Francis Rákóczi II and examined the remarkable artefacts that preserve his legacy in the collections of the Hungarian National Museum.
Learning became an adventure through a series of interactive activities designed to spark curiosity and participation. Students tested their knowledge with quizzes about Europe's monarchs and even took part in a virtual escape room entitled "Escape the Prison of Wiener Neustadt!", solving historical challenges inspired by events from Rákóczi's life. The webinar concluded with a virtual visit to the museum's Rákóczi Room, where participants discovered some of the most valuable objects associated with the prince and his era.
To encourage further exploration beyond the live session, students received access to all of the digital learning materials, allowing them to revisit the presentations, complete the activities again, and continue discovering the remarkable story of the Rákóczi family at their own pace.
By combining historical scholarship with digital technology and interactive learning, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project demonstrates how cultural heritage can be transformed into an engaging educational experience, inspiring young people from different countries to explore the shared history of Central Europe.
Discovering Rákóczi’s World: The Third “Rákóczi On Tour” Webinar Brings History to Life
History becomes far more memorable when it is experienced rather than simply read about. That idea was at the heart of our project, when we had our third international webinar on 5 June 2025, bringing together students and teachers to explore the life, era, and enduring legacy of Francis Rákóczi II.
The online event formed part of a series dedicated to one of the most influential figures in Central European history. Building on the previous webinar, this session placed a strong emphasis on non-formal learning, encouraging participants to engage with history through interactive activities instead of traditional classroom lectures.
The webinar consisted of three connected sessions. During the second session, museum educators from the Hungarian National Museum introduced participants to the historical world of Rákóczi and highlighted the remarkable objects and stories preserved in the museum’s collections. Their presentation offered students a unique opportunity to discover how museums help preserve and interpret the past for future generations.
The third session expanded on these themes through interactive presentations prepared by the project teams from Sárospatak, Borsi, and Jarosław. Teachers and students worked closely together to develop engaging learning materials, combining historical research with quizzes and collaborative activities that encouraged participants to test their knowledge while having fun.
To support continued learning, students will receive access to all of the webinar materials, allowing them to revisit the presentations whenever they wish and deepen their understanding of the Rákóczi family and its historical significance.
The journey, however, is only just beginning. The project will continue with a fourth webinar on 18 June, before moving beyond the virtual classroom in early July. During an international study tour, participants will visit key locations connected to the life of Francis Rákóczi II, experiencing first-hand the places where history unfolded and strengthening cooperation between the partner schools from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
By combining historical research, digital technology, and international teamwork, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project demonstrates how cultural heritage can inspire curiosity, creativity, and cross-border collaboration among young people.
Young Minds Explore the Legacy of Rákóczi in the Fourth “Rákóczi On Tour” Webinar
On 18 June 2025, students and teachers from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland gathered online for the fourth webinar of the “Rákóczi On Tour” project. Bringing together participants from four partner schools, the session focused on the next exciting stages of an international journey into the life and legacy of one of Central Europe’s most influential historical figures.
The webinar opened with a preview of the upcoming July study tour, which will take participants to Sárospatak, Borsi, and Jarosław—three locations closely connected to the Rákóczi family and their historical heritage. More than a traditional sightseeing trip, the tour will combine visits to important cultural sites with interactive discussions, shared learning experiences, and opportunities for students from different countries to build lasting friendships.
The second part of the meeting shifted from history to creativity. Students and teachers worked together to map out the project’s future activities, discuss responsibilities, and exchange ideas for the months ahead. One of the project’s most exciting challenges will see student teams creating their own original interpretation of the Rákóczi story. Their final “project products” may take many forms—from theatre performances and short films to board games or other innovative concepts, subject to approval by the project consortium.
These creative works will be showcased in the summer of 2026 during a historical festival in Sárospatak, where participants will have the opportunity to present their ideas to an international audience.
Throughout the creative process, students will receive guidance from an experienced mentor, while teachers will support their work at the local level. To help transform their ideas into high-quality productions, each student group will also receive modern digital equipment, including a smartphone with a high-resolution camera, a camera grip for stable recording, and external memory storage for collecting and managing project materials.
By combining history, technology, creativity, and international cooperation, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project encourages young people to discover the past while developing the skills they will need for the future.
Walking Through History: The “Rákóczi On Tour” Study Visit Brings the Legacy of Francis Rákóczi II to Life
Can history be experienced rather than simply learned? The “Rákóczi On Tour” project set out to answer this question by taking students beyond textbooks and online lessons into the very places where history unfolded. From 2 to 8 July 2025, twenty students and their teachers from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland travelled together on a six-day educational journey that followed the life and legacy of Francis Rákóczi II, one of the most influential figures in Central European history, accompanied by the Budapest project staff.
The study visit marked a major milestone in the international project. After months of online webinars introducing participants to the historical background of the Rákóczi family, the students finally had the opportunity to see the places they had previously encountered only through photographs, maps, and museum collections. The journey connected three countries – Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland – demonstrating that Rákóczi's story is not confined to a single nation but forms part of a shared Central European heritage.
The tour began in Sárospatak, one of Hungary's best-known historical towns and an important centre of education for centuries. Famous for its imposing Rákóczi Castle, prestigious schools, and rich cultural traditions, the town provided the ideal setting for the first stage of the programme.
After arriving and settling into their accommodation, the participants met for an informal evening of introductions and fun team-building activities. Students were encouraged to bring traditional snacks and sweets from their own countries, creating a relaxed atmosphere in which cultural exchange began long before the educational programme officially started.
The following days combined historical exploration with collaborative learning. Guided tours of the Rákóczi Castle introduced participants to the political, cultural, and military history of the Rákóczi family, while local students guided their international peers through the streets of Sárospatak, revealing the town's hidden stories and historical landmarks.
Alongside these visits, workshops focused on the project's next phase. Students reflected on the knowledge they had gained during the webinar series and began planning the creative projects they will develop over the coming year. Working in mixed international groups, they discussed ideas, explored different creative formats, and learned how history can be transformed into engaging stories for modern audiences. During these occasions, the students were encouraged to interpret the legacy of Francis Rákóczi II in their own unique way.
The next destination was Borsi, a small village in eastern Slovakia with immense historical significance. Although home to little more than a thousand inhabitants today, Borsi occupies a special place in Hungarian and Central European history as the birthplace of Francis Rákóczi II.
The recently restored Rákóczi Castle, reopened in 2021 following an extensive conservation project, offered students an immersive introduction to the prince's early life. Interactive exhibitions and a virtual reality experience enabled participants to explore the castle from new perspectives, demonstrating how digital technology can enrich the interpretation of historical sites without replacing authentic heritage.
For many students, standing inside the building where Rákóczi was born transformed historical knowledge into something tangible and deeply personal. It highlighted how historical places preserve not only architecture but also the stories that continue to shape cultural identity centuries later.
From Borsi, the group travelled north to Jarosław, Poland, a town whose prosperity during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries made it one of the most important trading centres in Europe. Its remarkably preserved old town, underground merchant cellars, monasteries, and churches offered another perspective on the world in which Rákóczi lived.
Participants explored the famous underground tourist route, visited the Orsetti Tenement House, admired the historic market square, and learned about the long-standing cultural connections between Poland and Hungary. Excursions to nearby Łańcut Palace and other historical sites expanded the geographical and historical context of the project, illustrating how political, economic, and cultural networks connected Central Europe long before modern borders were established.
Yet the study visit was about much more than visiting monuments.
Throughout the week, the students worked side by side in international teams, exchanging ideas, discussing historical topics, and learning how to collaborate across cultures and languages. Workshops encouraged critical thinking, creativity, and communication – skills that are just as valuable today as historical knowledge itself.
The evenings became an important part of the learning experience. Shared dinners, informal discussions, cultural activities, and moments of reflection helped participants build friendships that extended beyond national borders. These conversations often continued long after the official programme had ended each day, demonstrating that intercultural understanding develops as much through everyday interactions as through formal education.
The final evening in Jarosław provided an opportunity to celebrate everything the participants had experienced together. Looking back on the week, students recognised how much they had learned – not only about Francis Rákóczi II and the history of Central Europe, but also about one another's cultures, traditions, and perspectives.
The study visit also marked the beginning of the project's creative phase. Equipped with new ideas and shared experiences, the international teams returned home ready to continue developing their collaborative project outputs. Over the coming months, supported by teachers and mentors, they will transform their historical research into creative works that will be presented during the project's closing historical festival in Sárospatak in the summer of 2026.
The “Rákóczi On Tour” study visit demonstrated the power of experiential learning. By combining museum education, historical sites, digital technologies, creative workshops, and international cooperation, the project showed that cultural heritage is not simply something to preserve – it is something to experience, interpret, and share. Walking in the footsteps of Francis Rákóczi II, the participants discovered that history is not a distant story locked away in archives, but rather a living heritage that continues to connect people, places, and cultures across Central Europe today.
From Inspiration to Creation: The “Rákóczi On Tour” Project Enters Its Creative Phase
Following the successful international study tour in the summer of 2025, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project entered an exciting new chapter. Throughout the autumn, students from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland met regularly in a new series of online mentoring webinars, shifting their focus from exploring history to creating it in a new and engaging form.
The webinars marked the beginning of the project's collaborative creative process. Building on the historical knowledge gained during the spring webinars and the July study visit, students began discussing how they could share the story of Francis Rákóczi II with audiences of their own generation. Guided by mentors and supported by their teachers, they explored different storytelling techniques, digital tools, and creative formats before reaching a common decision.
The international teams agreed to work together on a short film that would combine their perspectives and experiences into a single shared narrative. The decision reflected one of the project's central ideas: that Rákóczi's legacy belongs to the cultural heritage of several countries and can best be understood through international cooperation.
The online mentoring sessions became creative workshops where students learned how to transform historical research into visual storytelling. Together they discussed scripts, selected historical themes, planned filming schedules, and divided responsibilities among the participating schools. These meetings also introduced students to the practical aspects of filmmaking, including storyboarding, camera work, interviewing, and editing.
To complement the international webinars, each partner country organised national workshops during the autumn. Hosted by local project partners and supported by museum professionals, these sessions allowed students to continue working face to face while developing the practical skills needed for the final production. Participants experimented with filming techniques, learned how to use digital recording equipment, and explored creative ways of presenting historical heritage on screen.
Many of the workshops took place inside museums and historic sites, where students had the opportunity to capture original footage connected to the life of Francis Rákóczi II. These visits not only provided authentic filming locations but also encouraged participants to look at familiar museum collections from a filmmaker's perspective, considering how objects/artefacts, architecture, and landscapes could help tell a compelling historical story.
The autumn activities demonstrated that learning history does not end with understanding historical facts. Instead, students became active creators of historical narratives, combining research, creativity, teamwork, and digital media skills. Working across borders and disciplines, they discovered that producing a film requires the same qualities that successful international cooperation depends upon: communication, planning, creativity, and trust.
By the end of the autumn webinar series, the foundations of the students' international film project had been firmly established. The teams were ready to move from planning to production, bringing the story of Francis Rákóczi II to life through their own cameras and imagination.
Cameras Rolling: Student Filmmakers Bring the Story of Rákóczi to the Screen
As winter turned into spring, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project entered one of its most creative and collaborative phases. Resuming in March 2026, the international webinar series brought together students from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to refine their ideas and transform months of planning into an international film project inspired by the life and legacy of Francis Rákóczi II.
The online mentoring sessions focused on turning concepts into concrete production plans. Guided by a mentors and the project team, students revisited their original ideas, discussed feedback received during the autumn workshops, and fine-tuned the structure of their film. They considered how to balance historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, while ensuring that each participating country could contribute its own unique perspective to the final production.
Students divided responsibilities for filming, interviewing, narration, and post-production, too. The collaborative process encouraged students to think like both historians and filmmakers—asking not only what happened in the past, but also how that story could best be communicated to a modern audience.
The practical work accelerated during the spring months. Using the video equipment provided through the project, students returned to local museums, castles, schools, and historical landmarks to record scenes connected to Rákóczi's life and legacy. Teachers, museum educators, and local experts supported the filming process, helping participants combine historical knowledge with creative visual storytelling.
A particularly exciting milestone came in April 2026, when the first completed video segments began arriving from the participating schools. These early contributions demonstrated the remarkable diversity of approaches adopted by the student teams. Some focused on historical locations and museum collections, while others experimented with interviews, dramatic storytelling, or creative visual effects. Although different in style, all of the videos reflected the same shared goal: presenting the history of Francis Rákóczi II in a way that would inspire today's young audiences.
The arrival of the first footage marked an important transition for the project. What had begun a year earlier as a series of educational webinars was now becoming a genuine international co-production. Students were no longer simply learning about history – they were interpreting it, documenting it, and presenting it through their own creative vision.
As the project approached its final stage, the international teams continued refining and combining their materials in preparation for the completed film, which will be presented during the closing historical festival in Sárospatak in the summer of 2026. The film represents much more than a final project result. It is the product of a year-long collaboration that has brought together young people from three countries, demonstrating how cultural heritage, digital creativity, and international cooperation can transform the way history is learned and shared.
The Journey Comes Full Circle: “Rákóczi On Tour” Prepares for Its Final Meeting in Sárospatak
After almost two years of preparation, webinars, an international study visits creative workshops, and collaborative filmmaking, the “Rákóczi On Tour” project is preparing for its final international in-person gathering. On 18-19 July 2026, students, teachers, and project partners from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland will reunite in Sárospatak, where the project first began its journey into the world of Francis Rákóczi II.
The meeting will celebrate not only the friendships and knowledge built throughout the project but also its most important outcome: the students' collaborative film inspired by the life and legacy of Francis Rákóczi II. Created over several months through international teamwork, the film will receive its official premiere in the historic surroundings of the Rákóczi Castle, bringing the project's story back to one of the places most closely associated with the prince himself.
The closing event will coincide with the annual Várjátékok/Castle Games, one of the Rákóczi Museum's largest public events. Held on 18-19 July, the festival transforms the castle and its gardens into a living historical landscape, where visitors can experience centuries of history through historical reenactments, military demonstrations, traditional crafts, music, and family activities.
For the project participants, the final in-person meeting represents much more than the end of an international initiative. It is an opportunity to reflect on a year of shared learning, creativity, and cross-border cooperation while presenting their work to a wider audience in the very setting that inspired it. By premiering their film in the Rákóczi Castle and taking part in one of Hungary's most vibrant historical festivals, the students will demonstrate how cultural heritage can continue to inspire new generations through creativity, technology, and international collaboration.
As the project draws to a close, the final gathering in Sárospatak will celebrate not only the enduring legacy of Francis Rákóczi II, but also the lasting connections created among young people from three countries who discovered that history is best understood when it is experienced - and shared - together.