2013. január 31., csütörtök

Imre Kerényi: We were figurants in the National Theatre’s competition


27th January 2013

’The left-wing has to experience what it feels like when there are no sources in their hands’ - said Imre Kerényi (director, prime minister representative) in the Csatt! debate on Friday in which he talked to András Bencsik (editor of Magyar Demokraták), György Vári (reviewer of Magyar Narancs and ÉS) and Kulka János (actor) about the hungarian cultural life.

Imre Kerényi answered János Kulka’s question: The representatives of the rightists did not have opportunities for eight years because the leff-wing led culture depressed them. According to the prime minister representative the left-wing party has to be familiarized with that there will be seven years for them culture policy.
First of all István Hiller’s (former Minister) assertion was recalled that in the eighties hungarian artistic life was freer. András Bencsik did not agree with this he considered that only one kind of culture exists in this country but the interest are different. György Vári commented the idea in turn: land acquisition is going on, cultural institutions are stocked up with reliable cadres they treat the culture as fief. György Váci believes that this is the same what László Simon (under-secretary) proposed: instead of tendering in some cases appointment is more comfortable. Vári also spoke about that it was a mistake to appoint György Fekete to be the head of Magyar Művészeti Akadémia. András Bencsik accepted but did not share the opinion, he thought there is no culture war in Hungary but the changes will inevitably violate human sensitivities.
Imre Kerényi praised László L. Simon’s suggestion and turned to János Kulka said in connection with the National Theatre’s project that: ’We all know that this tendering is an unnecessary theatrical circus.’ (…) For exampla there is your project. I was there and I know we had no role, we were just figurants, it was the ’comedy’ of DEMOCRACY. He also said the Művészeti Akadémia was established so as to remove the burden of ’arts organization’ from the shoulders of goverment but the initiative is still in its infancy, there are surely problems in the organization that we will solve by distribution and it will not hurt. He also said that ’there are two kind of culture’ and the ’national culture’ is strengthening. Since 1949 the cultural life has been left-liberal territory. That is why I think it is not worth that György Fekete is hurt. The natural values is important for us. There are artist for whom values are important and there are for whom this is less important’ - added ministerial representative who Egon Rónai (presenter) asked whether the rumors were true that Enikő Eszenyi wants the National Theatre for herself if her mandate expires. Kerényi definetely stated he will not be the director of the Teátrum and added: ’I got over the theatre’. Then he remarked: ’I think Robert Alföldi will get a theatre!’
Professional reportedly raised that Robert Alföldi could continue his work in Újszínház but the head of Népszabadság stated: ’There is no situation in which it is not worth to talk about terms.’ For the question whether he is offended or not he could work in an other place or not Kerényi answered: ’Let’s say he is offended. Wait, I am not. The hungarian theatre lost more than me. Maybe it is boastful to say like this. Of course there are bad moments it will be terrible to leave and to look into people’s eyes. But this is still away on the other hand wonderful things happened to us and as a responsible leader I would not continue just because of my interests but because to keep the staff together to let people see our productions.’ - said Robert Alföldi.