When applying to the “Essence of Life: How Conservative Values Shape Our Future?” autumn seminar, I expected a thoughtful weekend away. I could never have anticipated that less than three days could yield such deep conversation, lasting friendships, and thought-provoking debate. However, it was not only the quality of the lectures that made the event so enjoyable. The amenities provided, the cultural activities, and the wine created an event that far exceeded expectation, and all for free.
I found seminars such as “Culture or Identity? Christianity in the 21st Century,” “The Place Where We Are,” and “Nation: The Root of Freedom” particularly captivating. The unique backgrounds of the speakers infused the conversion with distinct and uncommon perspectives. The panel discussing cultural Christianity, led by Sebastian Morello, a senior editor at this parish and a lecturer trained in philosophy by Sir Roger Scruton, Bulcsú Hoppál, a theologian and philosopher, István Bogárdi Szabó, a reformed minister, and moderated by Bence Szabó, policy analyst at MCC Brussels, proved particularly exceptional. The conflicting opinions of the speakers added more depth to the conversation, and the disagreements not only yielded more thoughtful questions from the audience, but also unearthed common ground—a quality indicative of good debate.
Furthermore, the seminar was structured to introduce its participants to Scruton’s work and the selected topics offered a nourishing but bite-sized look into his studies and values. During the seminar we discussed some of the focal points of conservative philosophy, from the family and the nation state to Christianity and environmental protection. The conversations that stimulated these topics led to questions that Scruton would surely have appreciated, such as how our sense of belonging connects us to political and environmental responsibility and how beauty contributes to our quality of life. The lectures also frequently referred to his personal lexicon. In “The Place Where We Are Home,” conceptually rich terms coined by Scruton himself—words like oikophilia, meaning the love of home, or the Lebenswelt, which refers to the lived world—animated the discussion and added a special layer of understanding to the conversation for anyone familiar with Scruton’s work.
Beyond the lectures themselves, the location of the seminars, the choice of extracurricular activities, and the drinks were thoughtfully picked to mirror Scruton’s way of life and his ever-present emphasis on aesthetics. The lectures were fittingly complemented by a cultural experience in the picturesque vineyards of Hungary, all framed by the beautiful backdrop of Lake Balaton. The glittering water brought a clarity of mind that was only muddled by the wine tasting, an essential element to any event held in tribute to Scruton. The Hungarian Scruton Hub also offered an afternoon sailing, and while the weather did not permit us to take full advantage of this, the program more than made up for it with a fantastic traditional Hungarian lunch.
In Scruton’s writings, he frequently talks of the importance of discussion, something the autumn seminar encouraged both during the lectures and between bites at meals. The opportunity to talk with brilliant individuals from all over the world, all willing to share their expertise, put me in mind of the famed meeting of the minds in the ancient Greek lyceums. In my judgement, the best lectures are the ones from which you learn just as much from the person sitting beside you as you do from the speakers themselves, and the broad array of backgrounds, nationalities, and knowledge is what truly made this event shine.
The Scruton Hub’s philosophical weekends away are perfect for anyone interested in Scruton’s work, or simply drawn to understanding why it is so important to have a strong value system and how we can best preserve the practices that have made Western civilisation unique for future generations. The Hungarian Scruton Hub’s Autumn seminar exceeded expectations and, should the opportunity arise, I would do everything in my power to attend such an event again.
