Government-close company acquires Hungary’s largest bookstore chain: governmental interference to come?
The Hungarian writers’ community expressed concerns about the recent acquisition of Libri book store by MCC’s (government-affiliated foundation) subsidiary, stating that it will lead to unforeseeable and disastrous consequences.
Among others, DĂ©nes Krusovszky predicts that a significant portion of the book market will now be controlled by the state instead of the market. Gergely PĂ©terfy believes that the NER (System of National Cooperation) has influenced Libri’s acquisition, writes Index.
The acquisition
Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation’s subsidiary, SQ Invest Ltd. signed an agreement for the purchase of 67.48 percent of stakes in the Libri Group. This effectively made MCC the majority owner of the bookstore chain with a 98.41 percent stake.
Despite the ownership change, the management structure of the group will remain unchanged. The former majority shareholder will continue to support the Libri Group’s development as a board member, as confirmed by MCC.
Scepticism and cynicism
DĂ©nes Krusovszky commented the purchase on Facebook, highlighting the unforeseeable consequences of the acquisition. He emphasised that a large portion of the book market will now be controlled by the state instead of market forces, which he perceives as an unfavourable development. Krusovszky also raises concerns about MCC’s funding. The foundation’s budget includes MOL (a company which still hasn’t cut ties with Russia) shares they received from the government. This links indirectly every purchase made at Libri to the Russian state and consequently to Putin.
Writer PĂ©terfy Gergely suggested that authors and editors should join independent bookstores like FelhĹ‘ CafĂ© Books (FelsĹ‘ CafĂ© Könyvek) and the Hungarian Republic of Umbria (Umbriai Magyar Köztársaság). He expected NER’s involvement in Libri’s acquisition and predicts long-lasting negative effects, possibly leading to catastrophic outcomes.
Comments below the post reflect a mix of outrage and support for the acquisition. Some readers even expressed their intent to boycott Libri by cancelling their loyalty cards.
The Hungarian Writers’ Association’s released a statement welcoming the market changes that may result from Libri’s ownership change. They believe that MCC becoming the majority owner of Libri Group can contribute to a more balanced market. The Writers’ Union hopes that Libri will prioritise promoting quality offerings from independent literary publishers and expresses openness to dialogue and professional cooperation.
Source: Index
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7 Comments
Always good to control what people read. Make sure their thoughts stay “pure”:
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/book-burning
Hilarious – in a “private” place, an empty Government building, which grow in number, a number of little black “rimmed” glassed possible half glassed individuals, governmental employed – fully fledged members of Fidesz – that there job responsibility, the VETTING of All books of literature and “other” – coming into Hungary.
The DECIDERS – following the STRINGENT archaic Laws of Orban and his Government, head …….. over what is published now in Hungary, that may be Spicy or Sexually “hot” – keeping hidden and away from the “Youth” or “little ones” of Hungary, the DECIDERS will be the decision makers – what is permitted for US to purchase or browse through, from Libri Bookstores.
This commentary, may be written in a Theatrical tone, but the VETTING or Authority that will be by the Orban Government – a vigorous and forceful process.
Imagine – we know the Orban Government control and POWER over Media – over the Judiciary and to enforce there POWER through the process of Ruling by Decree that the VETTING of all forms of Literature & “other” – will certainly be – GOING to be on there List.
REMEMBER – the EDUCATION “mess” we have in Hungary.
The “screwing” – insult and disrespectful of no appreciation attitude – “streaming out” of the Orban Government, – the creation through the Orban – wrongful, un-democratic ideas and philosophy – the “games” he has played – that NO factual true investment of our taxes / money, in the time he has been Prime Minister of Hungary being 14 years, his second go, has been INVESTED for the future of Education in Hungary.
Is there the possibility our Library’s not just book-stores are going to be VETTED out?
Those pictures from History remember that History never Lies, the bon-fires of books non acceptable under the Nazi Regime – that did not fit into there DOGMA – could we have a re-enactment of that in Hungary, as we move rapidly on to-wards being under a Dictatorship ?
Never say Never and that situations are IMPOSSIBLE of OCCURING.
Maybe commenters here missed the lock down several years ago – if you don’t get a flu shot you will die along with anyone you come close to.
The tech company’s control more of what you can read along with the foreign governments that control them.
Most of major book chains in the US closed a long time ago. I couldn’t beleive there was one let alone 4-5 and many locations. The fact the HU gov is even interested is something- many publishers are censoring what they publish for sometime. I go in to Libri to see the best sellers and laugh my ass off. I asked if they had any books on Covid that shut much of the world down for a couple years and took me to back to see a little shelf of obscure books- the majority of major business are foreign and you will follow their rules and influence.
@TM – US lack of bookstores – that’s … Amazon. They started as an online bookstore, basically. Big all over Europe or they have similar – not so in Hungary since next day delivery is not possible (bocsi) even in Budapest. Killed off most “regular” bookstores.
Getting anything on COVID – I suggest Amazon…
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=covid&rh=n%3A266239&dc&ds=v1%3A%2BzRMo9EPwARf6CPJ2IsZHT92KU93CWVlxbJnR1RNzlc&crid=2NM3XOE3YF8L4&qid=1686916422&rnid=1642204031&sprefix=covi%2Caps%2C348&ref=sr_nr_n_4 – enough to read for the next 50 years or so.
One has to be blind not to realize what the Fidesz government is doing. The other sector they seek to control is telecommunications with the purchase of Vodafone Hungary earlier this year. Besides controlling what books you read they want to know what you are reading on the internet. They are already pushing Fidesz propaganda commercials to you through Youtube.
Agree, agree, agree (except with “TM” – I’m just one of those old-fashioned Hungarians who much prefer a hard copy of a book from a bricks and mortar book store). Surely, Krusovszky Ăşr must also be on the right track.
Upon reading the header, my first thought was “Fahrenheit 451”, an immediate (over)reaction on my part, but we can surmise that controlling what we read is the ultimate goal, or the conquer and divide (make obsolete so that we have to rely on getting all our reading from a Government-controlled source). Am I wrong?
Norbert – I’m very familiar with Amazon – lived in seattle for 30 years – they decide what gets published – they also have food chain and other retail. Why little I know is the HU wants to keep as much Hungary as major expense to keep the culture alive and Hungarian business the few that exist alive. Read the Twitter files – almost every major agency’s demanding what Twitter- Facebook – google censor what is available. Somehow child porn wasn’t one of them