Order of Malta

Székesfehérvár, Augusz 19. The St. Stephen Memorial Medal and Award, established in 2004, is awarded each year to a person whose work, professional career, and human attitude have always been guided by the legacy of St. Stephen, who has lived a life in accordance with the Christian values of Saint Stephen, and who has carried out outstanding activities in this spirit.

"It is a great pleasure for us to organize this celebration every year and to see so many people attending the award ceremony, demonstrating the importance they attach to this recognition," said Bishop Antal Spányi. Speaking about György Károlyi and his wife, Angelica Károlyi, he noted that many people are familiar with their work and efforts in restoring and operating Fehérvárcsurgó Castle in such a way as to leave every visitor with a wealth of experiences. We see the value they have created, preserved and restored. These two people truly deserve this recognition and have truly lived their lives in accordance with the ideals of St. Stephen.

György Károlyi and his wife first returned to Hungary in 1984-85 and visited the badly dilapidated family castle in Fehérvárcsurgó. In 1994, they established the József Károlyi Foundation, with the purpose of promoting Hungary's integration into Europe, putting the castle in Fehérvárcsurgó at the service of this goal. This idea was accepted by the relevant Hungarian state authorities, the right to manage the castle was obtained, and the implementation of their ambitious plan was launched. Using all their own savings as start-up capital, and later with the help of state and EU funds, the renovation of the castle was completed in 2011 and it began to be used for its intended purpose as a "European Cultural Meeting Center."

A detailed documentary on the lives of Georges and Angélica Károlyi and their work to bring the castle back to life can be seen (in Hungarian only) at Gróf Károlyi György és Károlyi Angelica grófné kapta 2025-ben a Szent István Díjat Székesfehérváron.

Source: szekesfehervar.hu