I Ungern fortsätter protesterna mot styrningen av kulturpolitiken från det styrande högerpartiet Fidesz. Budapests kulturbudget har skurits ner med 20% och den styrande borgmästaren har personligen bytt ut teatercheferna på flera teatrar mot egna kandidater.
Den 1 februari byts ledningen ut på ”New Theatre” i Budapest vilket lett till upprop från många teaterarbetare i Ungern, som vädjar till sina kolleger på teatrar i Europa att läsa upp en text som protesterar mot den växande intoleransen i Europa och utropar 1 februari till Teaterns dag för tolerans:
”I am reading a memorandum that will be read today in most theatres across Europe in the local language prior to the performance:
Today is February 1, 2012. Today in Budapest, one of the most important theatres in the city is being handed over to two new directors who have publicly espoused right-wing views for many years. They publish inflammatory pamphlets that are anti-Semitic, anti-Romani and racist. Starting today they will be the directors of a publicly subsidised theatre in a European capital. Their appointment breaks a taboo. Instead of taking this breach as an opportunity to condemn Budapest, we should commit ourselves in our own country and lives to tolerance, diversity and solidarity for the weaker members of our society. We are dismayed that political forces are at work in many European countries stirring up hatred, contempt and envy between people. Our intention with our theatre work is to overcome the divisive factors in our societies, to spark curiosity and to sharpen people’s senses for social truths – for the common good of all people, for peace and freedom in Europe. After all, we human beings are all free and equal in dignity and in rights; we are all citizens of one and the same world. Today is February 1, 2012. Let us join together today to celebrate the first ‘European Theatre Day for Tolerance’.”