Csokonai, a Debreceni Kollégium és a költő helyi kultusza

Abstract

I argue that the research into the relationship between the poet and his former school has become overwhelmed by the infamous trial of Csokonai. Whenever the topic is discussed, researchers often come to a standstill during the interpretation of why and how Hungary’s most significant Enlightenment poet came into conflict with his own school an institution to which he owed both his impressive education and the development of his poetic talent. As a result, the examination of the institution’s intellectual influence on the poet is overshadowed. Th e study reviews the ritualistic elements of student life, such as the daily routine, the legation, and fundraising, which had a strong impact on Csokonai’s personal development, but have so far escaped the attention of literary historians. Th e paper also outlines the main characteristics of the cult of Csokonai at the college. It highlights that, unlike the now-defunct cult in Debrecen, it is the students’ literary societies–originally created by Csokonai–continue to keep this tradition alive to this day.