The freedom of culture must be guaranteed in Hungary, four opposition parties told a joint online press conference on Thursday.
Â
Zsolt Gréczy of the Democratic Coalition (DK) said the government-friendly “System of National Cooperation has overtaken the field of culture in the past 11 years… aiming to conquer the intellectual space and shape a new cultural elite by turning over all powerful positions to its own clientele.” Should the opposition come to power after the spring election, it will ensure “the current system will be overhauled in consultation with the sector.” Cultural policy should focus on talent and professional quality, he said.
Â
Deputy House Speaker Koloman Brenner of Jobbik said the opposition committee for cultural affairs is proposing setting up an independent ministry of culture. The opposition will review the “excessive competencies” of the Hungarian Academy of the Arts, and
Â
restore institutions like the Office of Cultural Heritage,
Â
among others, he said.
Â
Â
Róbert Halmai of the Momentum Movement said the new government would raise the wages of culture professionals by 30 percent, “especially for those working in small localities and local governments”.
Â
The government would restore their public employee status and other financial benefits,
Â
he said.
Â
István Hiller, the Socialist Deputy House Speaker, said the opposition would ensure the cultural sector’s independence from politics. Politics should provide a framework and opportunities, as well as funding, to culture, he said. At the same time, politicians should refrain from “determining what’s good”, and make sure that artists can work freely, he said.
Read alsoHungary’s 2022 general election: Here are the main election rules and dates
Source: MTI
If you would like to support the work of the Daily News Hungary staff and independent journalism,
please make a donation here
please make a donation here
Hot news
Top Hungary news: snow covered Hungary, regime change in Budapest parking, forint free fall – 22 November, 2024
THE ranking: GyÅ‘r’s Széchenyi István University among the top science universities
Hungarian minister proud that both German and Chinese battery plants are built in Hungary
Here are the top Hungarian cities for expats seeking a new home
Drugs situation in Budapest serious, leading politician says
“Hungarian Iron Dome” deployed near the Ukrainian border, expert says Putin will attack Hungary
