Marking the day, Zoltán Balog, the human resources minister, handed over prizes in recognition of achievements in public education, welcomed in his address that “culture reaches more and more people”, and hailed the increase in ticket sales for theatre, cinemas and museums. He argued that last year a total 32 million theatre and cinema tickets were sold, 21% more than in 2010.

Defence Minister István Simicskó spoke at a commemoration organised by his ministry, and highlighted the importance of “religious foundations for civilisation”. He warned “Brussels and the European Union” that removing those foundations would weaken civilisation and its “existence would be questioned”.

The opposition Socialist and Párbeszéd (Dialogue) parties called for restructuring cultural institutions so that they serve “diverse Hungarian culture rather than politics”.

Gergely Karácsony, PM candidate of the two parties, said in an address in Heroes’ Square that “cultural policy in recent years promoted divisions rather than unity in variety”. If they won power in the spring election, the two parties would “reinforce autonomous cultural endeavours” and ensure a financing mechanism to promote “unity in variety”.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Lendvai Péter