"Theatres in the capital can breathe a sigh relief: permanent companies are now safe and support for independent theatres will more than double," the mayor said on Facebook.

He added that the federation of independent theatres (FESZ) will continue to distribute central government support among its members.

State support in addition to the city's contribution of 150 million forints (EUR 370,000) would be enough for independent theatres "to survive", he said, adding that the agreement needs the metropolitan assembly's approval.

According to an earlier statement about previous discussions on this matter, during those negotiations the parties were driven by three mutually professed basic principles:

1. Both the Government and the Municipality of Budapest regards Budapest’s diverse theatrical life that provides viewers with a high level of artistic quality as a particularly valuable part of the nation’s culture, and preserving this diversity and the high level of artistic quality is a common goal.

2. The full enforcement of artistic freedom is also one of the great treasures of Budapest theatre life. Both the Municipality and the Government are committed to fully respecting artistic freedom, the statement reads.

3. Lastly, the parties were driven by the fundamental goal of maintaining theatrical peace. In the interests of maintaining a peaceful creative environment, the Government and the Municipality of Budapest are making a particular effort to avoid cultural conflict and to preserve the peace among Budapest’s theatres.

Update: Budapest Assembly Approves Gov't+City Theatre Funding Deal

The Budapest metropolitan assembly on Wednesday approved an agreement between the city council and the government on funding for theatres.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony’s proposal on the agreement between the city council and the minister of culture and innovation concerning the joint operation of theatres received unanimous support.

Under the agreement that will be in effect until Dec 31, 2029, the central government will finance the operations of seven theatres in the capital, and is required to at least match the funding the metropolitan council allocates towards the upkeep of Budapest-run theatres.

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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