In 2019, the Hungarian state-managed translation was 150 years old and for this reason OFFI duly commemorated the date of 25 March 1869 when the Central Translation Department was formed within the Prime Minister’s Office of the time. At the same time, it presented the results achieved in the 150 years passed since then, and the fact that tradition and modernity, the values of the past and innovative work processes strengthen each other even in a 100% state-owned organization and contribute to successful company operation. The jubilee year commenced with a translation studies conference held in the Upper House Hall of the Parliament in March 2019.
The state translation service has played a decisive role in the past 150 years, always focusing on excellent quality and public service, and the activity of the official court interpreters was managed by the Ministry of Justice from the beginnings. The 150-year history of certified translation and the related institution, based on archival research, was published in a festive publication by OFFI. Throughout its year-long jubilee celebration series, OFFI presented its new results, the significant milestones of the institution’s past, key stages and participants, inviting as many potential professional collaborators and clients as possible. All that offers a timely, real and true picture of the renewal of its linguistic services, showing that this institution can be safely relied on even in the 21st century, since public service and safety stand at the core of its services.
By means of the dedicated project providing a framework for the events, OFFI has made several new collaborating partners: translators, interpreters, revisers, terminologists, universities and professional institutions within and beyond the borders. The new collaborations also materialized in long-term agreements. More than 600 interested persons (professional partners, those working in the field of justice, current and former OFFI leaders and professionals) attended the jubilee events of the year, the translation studies conference as well as the OFFI Stories events and the OFFI publications reached about 1,500 professionals. OFFI’s management considers important to acknowledge the performance of the employees, thus, CEO Dr Gabriella Németh handed over awards first in the Upper House Hall, then at the end-of-the-year OFFI Gala
On 26 September 2011 the Parliament declared the 13th of November the day of the Hungarian language, as Act II of 1844 on Hungarian Language and Nationality making Hungarian the official language, was adopted on this day in 1844. As a tribute to this day, OFFI Ltd concluded the jubilee series of events with a festive gala evening in November 2019.
After the jubilee looking-back, the heartfelt congratulations and the delivery of awards, there was a special theatrical event followed by the gala dinner and an informal musical program.
As a good tradition and also as a preparation for the Advent season, in the course of the event, the OFFI employees, its special partners, and other participants gathered material and financial donations for the Ecumenical Relief Organization in order to help underprivileged children with toys, books, stationery and money. Additionally, OFFI took part in the charity event launched by the Ministry of Justice.
In the course of the jubilee series of events OFFI published two festive publications in which not only the historical processing of the past 150 years but also the 21st-century research results were published.
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Source: © OFFI Archives – OFFI jubilee end-of-year gala evening – 22 November 2019