The Cultural Heritage Studies Program runs a range of research and action research projects in international cooperations in various funding schemes, such as H2020 or Visegrad. These projects explore the most up-to-date questions in the field, and the methodological and theoretical outcomes are channeled into the education of our students, who are also invited to participate in various project events. The projects are also a means to expand our international network, which benefits our students as well.
SALAM CEU, March 29 and April 2, 2025
The Salam CEU project was created by the students of the Cultural Management course in collaboration with Salam Music festival.
Presenting an exhibition and a documentary about the history of the festival, engaging the audience with the interactive carpet installation and a thought-provoking film screening with panel discussion regarding female rights in Iran, events engaged the audience with topics relevant to the values of CEU.
FLYING WELTMAN, March 24, 2024
In an exciting blend of cultural heritage and interactive gaming, first-year students of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program at Central European University have launched "the Flying Weltman," an educational quest game that took place at the Weltmuseum Wien. The game, developed by Karina Assadilayeva, Çağla Aydın, Daria Chuprasova, and Galina K., offers a fresh perspective on museum experiences by engaging participants directly with the artifacts' histories.
The project emerged from a collaboration between a mandatory project management course and the CHSP5085 - Decolonizing Religion and Heritage in Postcolonial Settings class. Tasked with the mission to make cultural heritage more accessible and engaging, the students designed "the Flying Weltman," to assist players in aiding the crew of a ghost ship to break their ancient curse by solving puzzles connected to the museum’s artifacts. This quest not only makes history and cultural heritage more accessible, but also encourages players to explore the provenance narratives behind the exhibits. The game includes free entrance to the museum, making it an attractive activity for those looking to explore the museum's collection in a new and exciting way.
The game was officially launched on March 24, 2024, after a series of stages including extensive research, a pilot test on March 17, and rigorous evaluation. This innovative approach has not only transformed the Weltmuseum experience but also heightened visitors’ engagement, as indicated by enthusiastic feedback and increased interest in museum collections.
Professor Zsuzsanna Szalka, a visiting lecturer at the Cultural Heritage Studies program and also the supervisor of the project, remarked, "This was one of the most successful projects I have ever been involved with." She praised the students for their creativity and adaptability throughout the project's duration.
In a university known for its diverse student body, we believe "The Flying Weltman" offers a unique opportunity for participants to network and bond with peers from various departments and backgrounds. This inclusive environment enhances the university experience, fostering connections among students from around the world. The game not only provides an educational experience but also an enjoyable and social one. The museum visit becomes a lively exploration rather than a passive activity, offering participants a memorable and enriching experience.
The success of "the Flying Weltman" demonstrates CEU’s commitment to experiential learning and its ability to combine academic rigor with practical applications in heritage studies. The students’ efforts have set a high benchmark for future projects, showcasing the potential of interactive learning tools in cultural settings.
To get a glimpse of the excitement and creativity behind "the Flying Weltman," check out our game day video on YouTube: Flying Weltman – the video
What Is In Your Cup? January – March 2023
"What is in Your Cup" is a heritage project undertaken by 1st year CHSP students which aimed to introduce heritage concepts to students of the Mittelschule Absbergasse. Centered around cups as objects of change, the three workshops focused on the relationships around cups, the materiality of cups, and the cultural rituals around cups. The project successfully brought together CEU and the community of Favoriten.
Speak Out through Art, March 2022
The "Speak Out Through Arts" project at Central European University brought together the CHSP and a class of Mittelschule Absberggasse students to explore the concept of heritage through artistic expression. The project consisted of two workshops:
In the first workshop, students worked with Vienna-based artist AYGYUL to create a unique piece of music using traditional sounds from various cultures. Through this collaborative process, students not only learned about different cultural traditions but also found a common language through music.
The second workshop focused on visual art, with students creating collages that represented heritage elements from their own cultural backgrounds. By using images to depict their heritage, students were able to share their stories and perspectives with each other and the wider community.
We presented the results of the two workshops at CEU to showcase the work of the students. Through the "Speak Out Through Arts" project, students were given a platform to express themselves creatively and explore the rich tapestry of cultural heritage. This project not only fostered artistic skills but also encouraged dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for diversity within the school community.
For a glimpse of the project, check out our video here.
Heritage Backpack: Quiz and Discussion, March 19, 2021
This online event organized by the students of Cultural Heritage Studies Program represented a cultural trip waiting to reveal the beauty and hidden meaning of each culture represented at CEU. The motivation behind the program was to explore and know the CEU community as a family particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of the project was inspired by these particular times, and the exploration of those personal and cultural elements that keep people connected to their roots in a foreign place.
Contemporary Interpretations of Islamic Art in Central Europe , December 8, 2020
The students of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program organized an exciting online panel discussion that engaged in the exploration of the contemporary interpretations of Islamic Art in Central Europe. The panel was a part of a student project “A Journey in Islamic Art – Rediscovering Heritage from East to West”, which additionally consisted of an online poster exhibition in four thematic chapters and a series of documentary movies featuring leading figures of the art scene in Vienna produced by the students.
Cultural Appropriation: Misuse or Appreciation? June 7, 2019
"Cultural Appropriation: Misuse or Appreciation?" is a event organized by 1st-year master students of Cultural Heritage Studies Program, which concentrates on the issues of cultural appropriation with the special focus on clothes and tradition. The aim is to create a platform for an open dialogue and provide an opportunity for a discussion on cultural appropriation. The event includes fun game activities and a thought-provoking visual pop-up show opened by a live performance.
Connecting Humanities: One Symbol at a Time: Exploring Ghanaian Culture and Heritage through Adinkra Symbols, May 30, 2019
The Adinkra Symbols exhibition offers a window into Ghanaian life and culture and shows how symbols influence individual and collective identities. The exhibition provides an opportunity to learn the meaning of symbols, their geometric make-up, use in context, and cloth printing as practiced in Kumasi-Ghana.
Memories of the Danube, March 24, 2018
The Danube, flowing through ten countries, is deeply woven into the fabric of these lands and their people. It is not merely a body of water but a carrier and preserver of memories. Through this project, we intend to bring people together through their collective and personal memories associated with the River Danube and we encourage them to share these memories. It may be a childhood recollection of fishing, playing, or swimming in the river, a reminder of a difficult phase in life, the loss of a loved one, a first date, a new beginning, a journey, or a reminder of some other river that flows in their homeland.
Are You Game? March 20, 2017
A multi-day, interactive event of the same name took place earlier in March in order to introduce the CEU community to the "Origins, Transformation, and Culture of Games" in a fun way. Games are a vital component of cultural heritage and social identity, yet are rarely seen as such. Therefore, the Cultural Heritage Studies Program at CEU launched this project's exhibition, public lecture, workshop, and scavenger hunt with the aim of increasing the awareness of the importance of games and the cultures they embody.
The mission was to highlight the cultural value of play and games by presenting games of different cultures at an event that included both academic and recreational programs. The result was that the events were as much fun as educational. The opening ceremony even included a magic show by the mentalist magician Szabolcs Molnar as well as a dance and music interactive performance. Later, there was a "Survival Games" scavenger hunt conducted throughout the university.
Beyond the Glass Hill, April 23, 2016
The event took place at the Fülöp Farm in Pomáz-Nagykovácsi-puszta, where the ruins of a medieval church and the glass workshop of the nearby Pilis Cistercian monastery stand. All in the heart of the Pilis Mountains, one of the six biosphere reserves in Hungary.
Join this unique chance to enter a part of the Pilis Mountains otherwise closed to the public, a protected forest area only kilometers from Budapest.
Sami Cultural Week, October 2005
The Cultures in Danger (CiD) initiative was launched by the students of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program at CEU. Its goal is to inform the audience about disappearing cultures, their values, and traditions, and to present currently important issues of the preservation of cultural identity in today’s political, social and economic conditions.
The Sami Culture Week’s goal is to not only to promote the Sami’s heritage, but also to spread information about that specific community to a wider audience and to contribute to a better understanding of the Sami culture.
The Building Complex of CEU as Cultural Heritage
Central European University is housed in a number of historical buildings located in the vicinity of the Budapest UNESCO World Heritage Site. The University is highly conscious of the historical value of its building complex and its aim to be a transmitter of heritage to a multicultural society.
CEU's central philosophy of openness acted as a guiding principle in the planning of its new campus. The central open courtyard is a symbol of this dual commitment to both history and modern academic needs: inspired by the courtyards of typical nineteenth-century apartment buildings, the design facilitates communication for a multicultural academic community.
With the support of the CEU Humanities Initiative, CEU's Cultural Heritage Studies Program has launched a research project about the University's buildings. The aim is to discover and present the heritage value of the building complex by identifying and reviewing the historical source material and by analyzing the architecture and surrounding urban spatial context.
Reflecting on the social and urban dynamics in the area, the Cultural Heritage Studies Program research project aims to problematize and present the multilayered biography of the buildings in which CEU is currently housed. The goal is to understand the human-nature-built environment interaction in downtown Budapest, to identify the various urban development factors for the area, and to situate the architectural heritage of the CEU building complex in its historical, present-day, and future urban setting.
The European Heritage Days are a widely celebrated cultural event shared by the citizens of Europe, when numerous monuments and sites open their doors for the public, allowing them to enjoy free visits and learn about their shared cultural heritage.CEU joined the initiative in 2013 and every year welcomes visitors and shares the heritage value and history of its buildings both for the broader public and for members of its own community. The guides are students, alumni, and faculty members of the Cultural Heritage Studies Program at CEU.
CEU’S Cultural Heritage Program Awarded for Hosting European Heritage Days
HerMeS - Heritage, Memory, and Sounds
Hermes is the god of travelers and a symbolic figure of transition in classical mythology. Accordingly, the main idea behind the HerMeS public lecture series, organized jointly by the Cultural Heritage Studies Program and the Center for Arts and Culture at CEU, is to nurture and renewal of cultural heritage. The series offers its audience a combination of talks and concerts, allowing them to travel along the borderlands of the performing arts and academic lectures.
International projects:
Sensiclass 2020-2022
OpenHeritage 2018-2022
From Burden to Resource: Industrial Heritage in Central-Eastern Europe 2020-2021