The Liszt Institute in Brussels has been instructed by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to host the Days of Vojvodina and Days of Transcarpathia cultural events scheduled for September, despite having submitted their programs to the ministry in June without receiving objections.
It is an unprecedented scandal that the Hungarian government is preventing the culture and heritage of Hungarian communities abroad from being showcased in Brussels.
The Days of Vojvodina and the Days of Transcarpathia have been highlights of the Hungarian cultural program in Brussels for more than ten years.
The purpose of these events is to showcase the cultural heritage, traditions, and values of Hungarian communities abroad in Brussels.
The Liszt Institute in Brussels. Photo: MTI/Bruzák Noémi
The Liszt Institute in Brussels had already sent the program for these two cultural and professional events—both with a long tradition—to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June, and the ministry had raised no objections. In early September, however, the political leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Liszt Institute that it could not hold the cultural events or participate in their organization.
The decision was justified by a restructuring of the cultural institutional system, with officials stating that programs showcasing the culture of Hungarian national communities abroad had “lost their relevance.”
In today’s pre-agenda debate in the National Assembly regarding this controversial measure, Péter Magyar proudly defended the ministry’s ban, which affects Hungarian communities living beyond the country’s borders.
“The FIDESZ-KDNP delegation to the European Parliament considers the TISZA government’s measure unacceptable and stands firmly behind the Hungarian national communities abroad! We are convinced that the duty of any Hungarian government is not to ban or marginalize the cultural events of Hungarian communities abroad, but to represent and support them. Preserving, protecting, and showcasing the cultural heritage of Hungarians living abroad is not a matter of party politics, but a universal Hungarian national interest,” the statement reads.
The representatives of FIDESZ and KDNP vow to continue this work. “We remain proud to champion, represent, and showcase the culture and values of the Hungarian communities in Vojvodina, Transcarpathia, and all Hungarian communities abroad in Brussels and throughout Europe. We will do everything in our power to defend the national community of Hungarians living abroad and the events that showcase their culture, identity, and sense of belonging against the attacks by Péter Magyar and his allies,” the statement concluded.
Via Press Release; Featured photo: MTI/Szigetváry Zsolt