In 2023, the great-granddaughters of the Nobel laureate Róbert Bárány travelled to Budapest for HUN-REN’s annual award ceremony. Sigrid Marie Barany came from Sweden, and Ebba Louise Barany arrived from Luxembourg to personally participate in the presentation of the Róbert Bárány Awards. They kindly took some time to answer questions posed by the HUN-REN Secretariat.
What memories can you share with us about your great-grandfather, Róbert Bárány and how do you keep his memory alive within the family?
Like in most families, there are stories about earlier generations but mostly on a private level, and less on the professional side. Róbert Bárány passed away at quite a young age in 1936, even before our father was born and never had the chance to meet him. One story we most often share with a smile is how Róbert quit studying under Sigmund Freud, allegedly shouting 'I have no unconscious'! He also said that working under siege in the fortress of Przemysl during the 1st World War was 'the best time of his life' due to the new medical practices he implemented, which saved many lives for sure. However, from a family perspective, one could easily think of better times! We refer to him as 'old Róbert', because 'young Robert' is our brother (but there is also at least one more relative with the same name).
What were your thoughts when receiving the invitation from President Balázs Gulyás to travel to Budapest to participate in the presentation of this year’s Róbert Bárány Awards?
We were very excited to receive the invitation, as it is the first time anyone from our generation has been invited to this type of ceremony in memory of Róbert Bárány. We felt honoured to be considered! President Balázs Gulyás knows our father, Anders Bárány, who worked for the Nobel Foundation for many years and is a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Science. However, the two of us are not active scientists but have pursued other career options: Sigrid is a Swedish Masterchef and I work in the European Commission.
What were the key messages you wanted to convey to the young researchers in your address at the event?
Those who attended the event couldn't miss our main message, 'stay curious,' which we emphasised in our speech! We believe that an open mind is an important asset. Science can be a job like any other, but to go further, one shouldn't be afraid to question the status quo. There are always many other ways of doing things, and some of them can lead to surprising outcomes. Another key message is the importance of international collaboration, so learn languages, participate in exchange or visit programmes, and bring back your experiences to the excellent universities and research institutes of Hungary!
How did you enjoy your visit to Budapest?
Sigrid: It was like meeting an old friend again after a long time! I have spent many wonderful holidays in Budapest, and I truly enjoyed every moment. The city has changed a lot in the last few years, and I discovered new places, cafés, and restaurants.
Ebba: This was my first visit to Budapest, and I was especially impressed by the art nouveau architecture that I love. The people were friendly and welcoming, and the food was excellent. So, there are many reasons to come back again!