GREETINGS FROM THE WORLD OF MINERALS

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Miskolc International Mineral Festival reopens at the University of Miskolc. For the 39th time, one of the oldest and most popular events held on campus will welcome visitors interested in the hidden treasures of the Earth, dazzling minerals, gemstones, ornamental stones, rocks and fossils, on 11 and 12 March 2023.

More than 100 exhibitors will present their collections at the 39th Miskolc International Mineral Festival. The Mineral Fair will be accompanied by educational lectures and exhibitions, with representative displays of antimonite, the Mineral of the Year, and amber, the Palaeolith of the Year. The Earth Science Playhouse organised during the event aims to introduce the youngest generation to the world of minerals.

"It is little known that minerals, besides their beauty, are extremely useful in our everyday life. For thousands of years, industrial minerals have contributed to the decisive achievements of humanity's development, and it is to our mineral resources that we owe much of the development of modern civilisation. Important developments in today's electronics industry, innovative solutions for smart devices and vehicles also owe their existence to minerals," said Prof. Gábor Mucsi, Dean of UM’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Engineering. "Our mineral resources have been the basis of industrial development in every technological leap forward, which further enhances the value and importance of engineering earth sciences," he added.

At the 39th Miskolc International Mineral Festival, visitors will be able to take advantage of a number of services, such as free mineral identification and gemstone identification, also free of charge, by top specialists.

The Hungarian Friends of Minerals will hold its annual meeting during the event. The association's newly founded professional awards will be presented for the first time at the Miskolc Mineral Festival, and the newly revamped website, mamit.hu, will be launched on the occasion.

Prof. Gábor Mucsi, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Dr. Ferenc Mádai, Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences and Dr. Sándor Szakáll, professor of the Institute invited the visitors to the Mineral Festival.