The Friends of the Rotary Prize for Hungarian Literature
The Rotary Prize for Hungarian Literature was first awarded in 2008. Our objective in establishing it was promote a new image for Rotary as a sponsor of culture and literature, and as a non-governmental social institution which believes in the spiritual improvement of the nation, in addition to its well known charitable activities.
Feedback from the first RID was positive from a wide variety of sources. Taking strength from this fact, we have decided to take the initiative closer to Rotarians and their families and friends, both locally and abroad. The Friends of RID provide a framework for doing this: its members can be anyone who likes and respects culture and for whom Hungarian literature is important. And their contributions will serve to ensure that the Rotary movement in Hungary is able to award the Rotary Prize for Hungarian Literature every year.
We wish to emphasise that we seek individuals, organisations and communities both domestically and abroad whose desire to sponsor is based on personal conviction in the worthiness of the objective, rather than simple sponsors.
Hungary has a history of many fine initiatives for sponsoring literature. In the 1930s, the Hungarian Friends of the Transylvanian Helikon (Erdélyi Helikon) had more than 15,000 members to support the publications of the Transylvanian Literary Company. We are convinced that the Rotary is capable of continuing this fine tradition.
Membership
Members of the Friends of RID can select any of five membership categories depending on the level of their contribution:
- Friend: 15 000 to 50 000 HUF (about 60 EURO, 80 USD or higher)
- Bronze Benefactor: 50 000 to 100 000 HUF (about 200 EURO, 300 USD or higher)
- Silver Benefactor: 100 000 to 500 000 HUF (about 400 EURO, 500 USD or higher)
- Gold Benefactor: 500 000 to 1 000 000 HUF about 2 000 EURO, 2 500 USD or higher)
- Diamond Benefactor: 1 000 000 HUF or any higher amount (about 4 000 EURO, 5 000 USD or higher)
Every member will receive a dedicated, signed and numbered copy of that year's winning work.
Bronze and higher level benfactors will receive a dedicated, signed and numbered copy of that year's winning work in an decorative box.
Silver and higher level benefactors will receive two complimentary tickets to the RID Prize-giving gala.
The amounts listed in other currencies contain additional post and packaging charges for sending the complimentary book abroad.
Membership is granted when payment is received by the Friends. The operations of the Friends and the Prize are carried out in the name of a dedicated charity set up by the Budapest-Tabán Rotary Club, whose capital is handled independently of the Club's own capital and is used only for the RID.
The Friends of RID would like to forge a real sense of community and therefore sends members news of current developments concerning the Rotary Prize for Hungarian Literature in a newsletter.
