The Rényi Institute's Christmas party was a great success yesterday. András Stipsicz opened the program with a brief review of the past year. Among other things, the institute's director spoke about the changes that will take place in Hungarian academic life in 2025:
"We have slowly become accustomed to turbulent times—and this applies to Hungarian science as a whole. This year has perhaps surpassed even the usual rhythm: in the first quarter of the year, we waited to see whether the fate of the properties owned by the Academy would be settled, and when this did not happen, the network suddenly lost its human footing, and at the end of October, the institute was dissolved and then reestablished.
Regarding the most important achievements of the Rényi Institute of Mathematical Sciences this year, András Stipsicz said: "We submitted a lot of applications — as the English say, 'win some, lose some' — the institute became richer with a Momentum grant and an ERC grant, we are the consortium leaders of a Doctoral Network, the Simons Foundation's support for the Erdős Center has started, and the Rényi applications were extremely successful in this year's NKFIH round, with 2 Highlight (a kind of mini-ERC) 3 Excellence (preparatory for further large grants) and more than 10 "regular" OTKA grants came to the house. There was a significant salary increase (with retroactive effect), and now we just have to work on maintaining this salary level (which will not be easy, based on the public task financing contract). The Erdős Center has another full year behind it, and the small team has done an outstanding job in organizing numerous outstanding workshops and conferences. Rényi75 delivered high-quality presentations, and Maryna Viazovska's Fejes Tóth medal and award gave us reason to celebrate.
At the end of his speech, the head of the institute also mentioned the first major program of the coming year, which is important for researchers: "January 2026 will be the month of the mathematics department at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, which will open with an exhibition on January 5 and continue with numerous lectures, presentations, and events."
The full program can be viewed HERE
During his Christmas and year-end speech, András Stipsicz drew attention to the institute's new badge, which was created to mark the 75th anniversary of the Rényi Institute. Balázs Szegedy, head of the Artificial Intelligence department, had ChatGPT analyze what can be "read" from this badge:
FORM AND VISUAL STRUCTURE
1. Circular shape
The basic shape of the badge is a circle, which classically symbolizes unity, completeness, continuity, and time.
The circle is not completely closed here: the arc formed by the number "75" seems to be in motion, which gives dynamism to the static circle.
2. Typographic solution for "75"
The 7 and the 5 almost merge into a single continuous form.
The thick, geometric digits suggest stability, weight, and authority.
The upper part of the 5 almost "rests" on the arc of the circle — this is
a protective, embracing gesture.
3. Color scheme
Blue background: loyalty, reliability, institutionality, often used on official, state, corporate, or anniversary
badges
Gold-colored numbers and frame: value, solemnity, timelessness, clearly refers to an anniversary
4. Material effect
The enameled surface is smooth and shiny → souvenir, not an everyday sign.
The metallic frame emphasizes the feeling of "honor."
MEANING
"75" — Clearly marks the 75th anniversary.
The large, dominant size conveys the message that the time span is the most important message.
"Ri" in the center — The central placement represents the core, the identity. Despite its smaller size, it is emphatic:
→ the organization/institution/community has been present throughout the 75 years.
It is enclosed in a circle → protection, cohesion, continuity.
"RÉNYI" inscription
Runs along the bottom arc, following the shape of the circle: a subordinate but stable role, the name of the institution "carries" the entire anniversary
Typographically simple, easy to read → seriousness, credibility.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
This badge visually communicates that this is a long-standing, stable, and respected institution or community that considers remembrance and the preservation of identity to be important.
It is not playful or trendy — rather, it is formal, solemn, and "classic anniversary" in style.
ChatGPT offered to design another badge—but everyone agreed that the original version was much more appealing.