The Century of Ellen Key – Literature and Legacy Conference
International Multidisciplinary Conference at TÓK
March 27–28, 2026

To mark the 100th anniversary of Ellen Key’s (1849–1926) death, the Ellen Key International Research Network (EKIR) is organizing a three-part international conference series, with Budapest serving as the venue for the second instalment. The first stop of the series was Stockholm in October 2025, and the third will be Bologna in October 2026.

The conference held at ELTE TÓK was initiated by Dr Andrea Poros and organized under her leadership. The aim of the conference was to explore and present the reception of Ellen Key’s multifaceted intellectual legacy; the presentations were organized into the following sections:

• women’s literature and the portrayal of women in literature

• eminism and forms of female identity

• philosophy of life and pedagogy

• children’s culture and children’s rights

• children’s literature and picture books

• Hungary at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries (Ellen Key visited Budapest in 1905)

The conference was opened by Dr habil. Éva Márkus, dean, and Diana Madunic, Sweden’s ambassador to Hungary.

Main presenters: 

• Professor Claudia Lindén, Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden 

• Professor Elina Druker, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden 

• Professor Tiina Kinnunen, University of Oulu, Finland 

• Hedda Jansson, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden 

• Margareta Aspán, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

Several professors emeritus presented at our conference: Magdolna Orosz, Enikő Bollobás, and János Szávai. Professor András Masát served as chair of the scientific committee.

Nearly 150 people registered for the event, and more than 40 presentations were delivered during the sessions. Ambassador Diana Madunic hosted the speakers at a reception held at the Swedish Ambassador’s residence.