Congratulation, Krisztina Hevesi!
Krisztina Hevesi, the topic of your dissertation is “Continuity and Discontinuity of Scribal Traditions in Coptic Magical Texts”. Why did you choose this topic and what did you hope to find out?
Although I have originally been fascinated by ancient Egypt and this was the main reason why my dream has been to become an Egyptologist since the age of nine, I have been studying Coptic magical texts since the second year of my BA studies. With fellow students in Budapest, we got acquainted with unpublished Coptic magical texts at a seminar where my interest finally turned from ancient sources to these late and difficult texts that were mostly produced between the 4th and 12th century CE. Both the topics of my BA and MA theses were the editions of unpublished Coptic magical manuscripts (first from Vienna, then from Strasbourg). During my first year of MA in Strasbourg, my papyrological knowledge was enriched and I was abosultely curious to learn more and practice these skills in reality. Already back then, I have become highly interested in the deeper interpretation of Coptic magical material and the way this crucible of various traditions functioned: why certain practices and elements were transmitted and who were the actors in this long and very complex process. Apart from transcribing and translating these precious sources of ritual practices, I wished to know more about their interpretation and the mechanism of transmission of traditions. While at the beginning of my master studies, I was rather inspired by the native Egyptian traditions (in connection with my original interest), during my PhD research, my attention has slowly turned to the scribal traditions in Coptic magical texts. Thus, I dedicated my doctoral research to the wide variety of textual, paratextual and material elements that did not only change and assimilate to cultural and religious trends, but have also been retained in these manuscripts for several hundred (and sometimes several thousand!) years. Thanks to this fascination, I was hopeful to learn more about the scribal and educational background of the compliers and copyists of these texts as well as the socio-religious context in which they were produced.
You were a doctoral student in BerGSAS and you have successfully completed the program “Ancient Philosophy and History of Ancient Science (APhil/HistAS)”. In your experience, what are the benefits of a structured PhD program?
In a structured program, everything is better organized and a lot of burdens are lifted from researchers’ shoulders which means that I could concentrate on my topic more as it was my main job to do so. Apart from that, according to the regulations of the structured program of the BerGSAS, researchers have to complete a curriculum in the framework of which I could choose from a range of very interesting seminars and colloquia to support my knowledge and shed new light on the issues I investigated within my research. These were very useful and helped me acquire an up-to-date knowledge and broaden my perspectives.
What do you take away from your time as a doctoral student at BerGSAS?
I learnt – even more than before – how to survive independently in difficult times like a pandemic and how to creatively and spontaneously re-organize my schedule and studies instead of always planning well in advance. Furthermore, I learned how to turn disadvantages into my advantages.
What advice would you give to students who are about to begin their PhD program?
It is the most important that you choose your topic wisely, since almost everything depends on it and you will spend the upcoming years with it. Furthermore, never build on one single idea and planning; even the most certain things can become uncertain from one moment to the other nowadays. Try not be a planning type like myself, but be creative. If you still want to plan, then consider plan B, C, D and so on. Always dedicate enough time to your free time activities and learn to appreciate every little bit of progress you make within your research. Establish a protected inner world in which you compare yourself and your achievements to yourself and your own circumstances and not to other people and their situation. Even if you are not encouraged by each and every person you meet throughout your PhD research, believe in yourself because everyone is precious in a different way, no matter what others say and whether they recognize it or not.
During the “Berliner Antike im Leibniz-Saal” event on the 18th of November, you and other recent PhD graduates will receive your official PhD certificate. What do you plan to do next?
Right after the end of my DAAD-scholarship, I had the chance to become a research fellow in the amazing project “Early Jewish and Christian Magical Traditions” hosted by the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. My fellowship began in February 2024 and I will continue to work in the project next year as well. With a colleague, we compare Jewish and Coptic illicit magical rituals and write a co-authored book on this intriguing topic. However, from next year (2025), I will also be assigned new work processes. Thus, I will probably remain in the field of Coptic magic for the next 1.5 years. I also have plans for the period afterwards, but they still need to be clarified and I am looking for the right application, host institution and cooperation with colleagues. However, my plans are much more flexible than before and I am definitely open to other fields of research as well.
OpenEdition schlägt Ihnen vor, diesen Beitrag wie folgt zu zitieren:
teamredaktion (13. Januar 2025). Congratulation, Krisztina Hevesi! Berliner Antike-Blog. Abgerufen am 19. Februar 2025 von https://doi.org/10.58079/132vm