Traditionally, the most prestigious state honours are awarded to the most distinguished members of the Hungarian scientific and artistic communities on the occasion of the national holiday of Hungary on 15 March. This year, Gábor Mezei interior designer and furniture designer, among others, was awarded the Kossuth Prize for his work. Born in Budapest in 1935, Gábor Mezei graduated from the Hungarian Academy of Applied Arts in 1960 with a degree in interior design. Between 1960 and 1964 he worked with the Commercial Design Office, and between 1964 and 1971 at the National Construction and Design Company of Agricultural Cooperatives (SZÖVTERV), where he met Imre Makovecz. Their first joint project was the rebuilding of the former Trinitarian monastery in Sárospatak in 1965. Between 1971 and 1986 he worked with the Institute for Urban Planning and Design (VÁTI), after which he continued his career as a freelance interior architect. His work combines a knowledge of craftsmanship and respect for traditions with 20th century avant-garde aspirations and tendencies.