I am a U.S. based programmer, and every time I have been to Hungary, the draw has been the Trafo Contemporary Art House that Gyorgy Szabo envisioned and brought to life.
Under Gyorgy's direction, Trafo is part of an international network of contemporary art spaces that not only brings beautiful, provocative and inspiring performance from around the world to Budapest, but it highlights Hungarian artists and projects as well.
Ironically, it was Gyorgy who first introduced me to the work of Yvette Bozsik, and Pal Frenak, and countless other Hungarian artists. Gyorgy's vision has made Trafo an important hub on the map of international performance.
We need Gyorgy Szabo's tenacious leadership and vision for the arts not only in Budapest, but also to bring Hungary into an international dialogue about contemporary art, and to bring artists from Hungary into a broader context.
Without Gyorgy, we will all miss a Trafo that has impact and creates opportunities.
This change of leadership will not lead to new opportunities, but it will close them down.
Cathy Edwards, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, New Haven CT
Cathy Edwards, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, New Haven CT
