Nyelvtudományi Közlemények 100. kötet (2003)

Tanulmányok - Helimski, Eugene: To Péter Hajdú [Hajdú Péter] 20

To Péter Hajdú 21 remained perhaps more true to the exact letter of Péter Hajdú's theories than Péter Hajdú himself. The research and the newer data from recent years seem only to have confirmed your basic results and to have shown that they need be developed rather than radically reconsidered. But we all learned to respect and to praise this spirit of innovation, of continuing search, of non-complacency, which was so characteristic of you. Let it be another important lesson you gave to your friends and colleagues, another aspect of your enormous scholarly heritage. In 1960, Péter Hajdú, with 36, was the youngest among ten members of the International Committee for Finno-Ugric Congresses elected then for the first time. Now you are the last among the members of this first committee to leave this world. You made a very important contribution to establishing the tradition of these Congresses which summon up every five years the Finno-Ugrists from Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Russia, and from non-Finno-Ugric countries. But you were also the first to notice the shortcomings and dangers which internationalisation and unrestrained growth of Congresses' participation bring along, and to raise your voice against these detrimental tendencies. Here, as in many other situations, critics and intolerance were inseparable parts of your dedication and care. Thank you also for that, dear Péter! It is much more difficult to proceed and to go further without you, but your life's work, your spirit, and your heritage teach us how the difficulties should be dealt with. Requiescat in pace. E. Helimski Farkasrét, October 14, 2002