Talent geography research in an inner peripheral Hungarian region – Case study of Nagykunság

Abstract

The particular relevance of the study is given by the fact that in 2023, two Hungarian scientists received the most famous scientific recognition, the Nobel Prize. One of the Nobel Prize winners is Katalin Karikó, a biochemist and research biologist, who grew up in Kisújszállás and, completed her primary and secondary studies there. (Another town in Nagykunság, Karcag is the birthplace of biochemist Ferenc Herskó, who was awarded in 2004). Talent geography research in Hungary has a relatively significant history. However, considering the period after the regime change, the number of studies written on the subject still needs to grow. Existing research has focused mainly on the national level and indicated differences at the lower territorial levels. Still, few works have been published that carried out a talent geography analysis of a small region.

In this study, the authors examine geographical regularities and correlations in connection with the talents associated with a Hungarian region called, Nagykunság. Nagykunság is the name of an old Hungarian region, which is located in the Southeastern part of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county. Its name derives from the historical ethnic group of the Kuns who live here. One of the main scopes of the research is the exploration of the correlations between education and territorial mobility. The present analysis approaches the problem from the "peaks." The other direction is the classic center-periphery problem, manifested in brain drain, which can be interpreted internationally, but also on subnational scales. The problem can be examined even along settlement hierarchies.

The fall of socialism, the revived Nagykun self-consciousness, and the historical awareness of ethnic-cultural cohesion (and its strengthening through scientific research) justifues and demands to make this particular Hungarian region to be the subject of social geographical, in this case, talent geographical studies.

This research scrutinized the settlements and talents of Nagykunság, as well as their relationships. The study carries out a talent geography analysis (examination of the spatial distribution and characteristics of talents) of the life paths of people with outstanding achievements connected to the traditional Nagykunság. In the case of a total of twenty-two persons, the authors carried out investigations from a geographical aspect regarding the place of birth, primary, secondary, and higher education, career stages, and place of death.

It can be concluded that the eXorts made by small towns in the inner periphery of Nagykunság to improve their situation may even be counterproductive in the medium and longer term. It is difficult to resolve the contradiction that their efforts to uplift their society make the successful metropolitan centres even richer. The research showed that the people born in Nagykunság had to leave their homeland, and for many, the country, in order to become successful scientists, artists, or athletes. From the point of view of the region and the individual settlements, this is not only a moral loss but also a socio-economic loss, further weakening the local societies and significantly reducing their chances of catching up and development.