Can Togay, a notable individual, entered the world on August 27, 1955, to Turkish parents, who would later shape his early life in Germany.
As a young boy, Togay was a part of the Péter Halász troupe, which marked the beginning of his journey in the world of performance.
Following his early beginnings, Togay pursued higher education at Eötvös Loránd University, where he diligently worked towards earning a degree in German and English, a testament to his academic prowess.
Togay's academic pursuits continued unabated as he embarked on a fascinating journey of German-French comparative linguistics under the esteemed mentorship of Jean-Marie Zemb at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in the City of Light, Paris. It was during this period that he completed his post-graduate studies, culminating in a triumphant conclusion in 1980.
After acquiring a deeper understanding of the intricacies of language, Togay went on to further his education at the Színház- és Filmművészeti Főiskola (College of Theatrical and Video Arts) in the vibrant city of Budapest, Hungary. Under the guidance of the renowned Zoltán Fábri, Togay successfully completed his studies in 1984, equipping himself with a comprehensive knowledge of the performing arts.
Can Togay, a renowned filmmaker, embarked on a significant career milestone in 1991 when he relocated to Finland, a country that would become his home for the next four years. During his tenure in this Scandinavian nation, Togay dedicated himself to a plethora of projects, with one notable endeavor being his 1992 cinematic masterpiece, A nyaraló. This critically acclaimed film would later be showcased in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, a testament to Togay's growing reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
Can Togay, a multifaceted creative force, has made significant contributions to the world of film, but his artistic endeavors extend far beyond the silver screen.
His literary pursuits have yielded a treasure trove of poetic masterpieces, with his initial foray into publishing taking place in the esteemed pages of Mozgó Világ (Moving World) back in 1978.
Fast forward to the dawn of the 21st century, and Togay's poetic prowess was showcased in a stunning debut collection, expertly crafted and presented to the public by the renowned Aranykor Kiadó (Golden Age Publisher) in the year 2004.
Can Togay, a multifaceted individual, has gained recognition for his influential roles in both cultural diplomacy and management. Specifically, in 2008, he took on the esteemed position of Director of the Collegium Hungaricum Berlin, a prestigious institution dedicated to fostering Hungarian culture and science in the German capital. Additionally, he concurrently served as the cultural attaché of the Hungarian Embassy, utilizing his expertise to facilitate cultural exchange and understanding between Hungary and Germany.
Notable among the numerous creative endeavors undertaken by this distinguished individual is a poignant and thought-provoking project, the Holocaust Memorial Cipők a Duna-parton (Shoes on the Danube Promenade),situated in the esteemed city of Budapest.
In collaboration with the talented artist Gyula Pauer, this visionary conceived and co-created this powerful memorial, a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
