Our Cherished Heritage [antikvár]

INTRODUCTIONreasures have to be cherished and preserved both for our and our pos-terity's sake. What is a treasure? It can be a feeling, a memory, a book or even a building. The historic main building of the University of Debrecen is a true treasure for students, teachers, citizens of Debrecen, and all Hungarians; not only because many people contributed to its construction, not just because it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Central-Eastern Europe, and not simply because it is of irreplaceable architectural value. It is a true treasure because it has its protectors: noble-hearted people devoted to their profession and working for a worthy cause with all their heart and soul often far beyond their obligations. People who consider the preservation of values "left to us from our ancestors" to be important, especially today.On April 6, 2005, János Nagy, Rector of the University, announced at a press conference that with the help of experts and competent authorities the university will restore the stained glass windows of the Great Assembly Hall that were destroyed during World War II, to be completed by 2012, for the centenary of the foundation of the "Hungárián Royal University of Debrecen." Originally, the windows were decorated with stained glass created in the 1930s by Miksa Róth, prob-ably the most influential glass painter in Central-Eastern Europe. László Vince, retired Secretary to the Rector, initiated the restoration. He spent all his working life at the university. He not only preserved his memory of the windows but re-searched them in the University Archives as well. Although he could not find the originál plans, he did find sketches, black and white photos that could serve as a starting point for the restoration.