“Another Hungary is possible”: Street artist Laika takes aim at Orbán ahead of Budapest Pride – PHOTOS

At dawn today, a striking new poster appeared in central Budapest, signed by the renowned street artist Laika. Titled Another Hungary is Possible, the artwork depicts Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a queer persona, proudly waving a rainbow flag as if leading a Pride parade. On his suit is emblazoned the phrase “Free Maja”, a tribute to the non-binary anti-fascist activist currently imprisoned in Hungary.

With this bold action, Laika sends a clear and provocative message on the eve of the Budapest Pride, at a time when the Hungarian government has been attempting to suppress the event.

This is not the first time Laika has targeted Orbán’s government. Among the artist’s most famous works is a poster of MEP József Szájer – Orbán’s close ally – caught in the midst of a gay orgy during the COVID-19 lockdown, and Ila Resisti, in support of Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis, now a Member of the European Parliament.

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Until now, Laika’s politically charged artworks have all been created in Italy. This latest intervention marks the artist’s first direct challenge on Hungarian soil – timed deliberately to coincide with the Budapest Pride, which the Hungarian authorities have officially banned.

“Street art has the power to envision the impossible, the utopian”, Laika said. “Depicting Orbán marching for civil rights is, of course, a provocation, but it’s not meant to ridicule. It’s a dream: a dream of a Hungary where the prime minister does not dismantle the rule of law with freedom-crushing legislation, does not crack down on public demonstrations, but instead stands alongside the LGBTQIA+ community – a leader who respects human rights”.