The director of Archa Divadlo (Prague) comments on the proposal of Yvette Bozsik

"I would like to express to you my solidarity for the hard times they are going through"

I was astounded to read about the decisions affecting your institution. 

Having collaborated with Trafo (for Edit festival 2009, where I presented dance films from Greece and participated in discussions), and knowing the extraordinary work Trafo crew have been doing there, I would like to express to you my solidarity for the hard times they are going through. Similar things happen in my country as well, and my structure has also suffered by some. 

Although I am angry, I am sure that Trafo will find the ways to continue their innovative and important work. 

I hope this letter will be read by those who can support Trafo. Addressing to them, I can only say that if they invest in a cultural institution directed by people who have given proof of their groundbreaking work, they will only get back much more than what they have invested, in so many ways.

If I could undo the unfair way Mr Szabo and his team were treated, I would definitely do so.

I wish Trafo lots of courage, strength and stamina for the hard times.

Christiana Galanopoulou, artistic director, MIЯfestival, Greece

"Gyuri Szabó’s replacement is a mistake"

I am writing in support of Gyuri Szabó.
Do Hungarians want their nation to be culturally significant? Do Hungarians want their nation to be culturally influential? Do Hungarians want a performance space that can be included in a list with the best performance spaces anywhere in Europe?
If the answer to any of these question is ‘Yes’, as it must be, then Hungarians must agree that Gyuri Szabó’s replacement is a mistake.
It seems that there are those who consider this replacement a victory. This victory has made Hungary less significant, less rich, and less privileged. This victory is a defeat, for all Hungarians. 
Szabó is a jewel of the European performance scene. His knowledge of contemporary performance is almost without peer. 

The Trafó has been, for as long as I can remember, an internationally important performance space. 

I hope it can continue to be. 

Nevertheless, this change is unworthy and misguided.
This is a decision for helping to impoverish the cultural future of their nation and immediately lessening its cultural influence.

Best wishes,

Neil Bennun (writer and performer)

"There isn't really much of a conversation to be had - Szabo's removal is a disgrace"

As a theatre maker and director who tours internationally it is deeply worrying to hear of the current situation engulfing Trafo following the removal of Hungary's most important mediator and contributor to the performing arts. 

The first time he brought my work to Trafo (Rotozaza's Doublethink - Feb 26-28, 2007) was a hugely positive and cathartic event for those on stage as well as those sat down watching. 

I will never forget speaking afterwards to a local electrician who, it turned out, we had fooled with our fake electrical-blowout. We talked for a long time about the work, beyond this anecdote - it turned out he came regularly to Trafo. 

I couldn't help but comment that in London it would be unusual for an electrician to take such an interest in alternative theatre, but he was very clear that at Trafo the distinctions between what was new or experimental and what was 'regular' theatre didn't matter, because the programming was 'always excellent'. 

There isn't really much of a conversation to be had - Szabo's removal is a disgrace.
With all my best wishes - specifically, that Hungary can turn things around from what looks presently to be a bleak future.

Ant Hampton, co-director, Rotozaza, London, UK

"This is a very bad news!"

I came to know of mayor of Budapest decided to change director of Trafó. This is a very bad news!
Trafó was one of the best place I performed, and not because of the space (even if it's a very nice theatre) but because of the team.
Gyuri Szabo is a very intelligent man. He speaks with artists. He always talks about your performance with you and his choices created an attentive and open-minded audience.
Gyuri Szabo has not an own theatre company and this is another important thing.
I'm really sad and disconcerted.

Poor Hungary!
big hug for you,

Paola Bianchi - agar

"Gyorgy Szabo must be reinstated if his pioneering work is to be maintained and if Trafo is to remain a centre of excellence"

As artists travelling the world and presenting our work in many different contexts we get to see a huge variety of festivals, venues and meet a lot of programmers and curators. 

Some are bad, some are average, some are good and some are excellent. 

Some manage, often in the strangest and most difficult of circumstances, to produce an amazing programme - creating a space for new work and up and coming artists to flourish; and fostering debate, inspiration and creativity across borders. 

One such place, in the last 13 years, has been Trafo under the leadership of Gyorgy Szabo. 

Trafo is a unique institution in Central-Eastern Europe, respected throughout the world for presenting excellent and innovative work by both Hungarian and international artists. 

It has been key role in introducing Hungarian audiences to some of the finest dance and performance work on the world stage as well as showcasing the work of independent Hungarian artists to foreign programmers, making it internationally visible. 

We’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the programme at Trafo and we value that experience very highly. 

We know that many many professionals around the world who share the same opinion and respect for the work which Gyorgy Szabo has done to develop and maintain Trafo’s multidisciplinary commitment, its risk-taking and intelligent programming, and its strong bond with international partners. 

As well as putting Budapest on the performing arts map, Trafo has become an essential part of the international contemporary arts scene.
This international respect is due to the professionalism and dedication of Gyorgy Szabo and his team. He has shown inspiring leadership as well as a detailed knowledge of and connection with the international performing arts circuit. 

This combination of artistic vision, shrewd management and robust networks has given Trafo an international profile which could now be lost. 

Gyorgy Szabo must be reinstated if his pioneering work is to be maintained and if Trafo is to remain a centre of excellence. 

At the present moment, as Europe faces a time of political and economic crisis which cuts deep into it’s social and cultural fabric. One thing we need at this moment is to support and value the artists and the artistic organisers who can help to identify and present new visions, new ways of thinking and new ways of understanding.
We wish Gyorgy Szabo and his team every success in continuing their important mission.

With best wishes, and respect,

Tim Etchells, artistic director, Forced Entertainment

AZ EREDETI SZÖVEG IDE KATTINTVA OLVASHATÓ

"Gyuri Szabó is a man of culture with a tireless curiosity recognized throughout Europe"

Gyuri Szabó is a man of culture with a tireless curiosity recognized throughout Europe. Working with his team, we've found efficiency, alternatives and imagination to develop exciting projects.
We've seen both international and Hungarian innovative performance companies, some renowned or less known revealed to the audience of Budapest.
In solidarity, we join the petition to ask for an alternative, the need of a new decision for Gyuri Szabó and his team at the TRAFO.
Diane Lara - Tour Manager in Performing Arts (Fr-Be), Petrus The Roman - Service To Others (Be)

"One more sad event in the cultural life of Hungary"

One more sad event in the cultural life of Hungary. 
Being from East Europe, in the 1990-s I was amazed by the energy of democratization of the theatre life in Hungary – including Gyuri’s activity first in the Petofi Csarnok, then in Trafo. 
Now it seems that all this remained in the past, and nobody even in my home country would ever believe that Hungary used to serve a good example for us – in revitalizing theatre life by the competitions, contract system, etc. 

Trafo is a good position, it really is! Grown on the lost land, by the work of the person who seemed always just be curious about very diverse new things – it’s his talent, among other talents – of management, cultural policy, team-building.
We live in difficult times, when those who will be invited to work – or to perform – in the future Trafo will stand before a dilemma whether to save what they are still able to save from the original vision of Gyuri and his team or to express their solidarity by boycotting and/or the place. 
All this is very unhealthy and, unfortunately, more and more characteristic for the Hungarian cultural scene.

Natalia Yakubova, theatre critic, Russia/Hungary

"By not honouring [Gyuri's] expertise on the international development of theatre, the Budapest theatre and dance scene will marginalize itself into a glorification of a local discourse only"

In what kind of time do we live when we can't recognize anymore that people are doing a wonderful job for the benefit of a lot of people, because we are just blinded by our own power-plays.

The threat to remove Gyuri and his team from the managing position in Trafo reveals a way of thinking that only can lead to the mediocrity of the performing arts.
By not honouring his expertise on the international development of theatre, the Budapest theatre and dance scene will marginalize itself into a glorification of a local discourse only.
Poor Budapest, poor Hungary, poor people who love theatre.

Now, more than never we need a theatre that can look beyond its own horizons, and that reflect on its time and its phantoms in a generous, open-minded way.
And Gyuri stays for me the man who can handle this need in a generous, balanced way.

Robert Steijn, Amsterdam/Vienna/ independent choreographer/united sorry

"Gyorgy Szabo has to go on with this!"

The Trafo with Gyorgy Szabo belongs to the most innovative places in Europe!
For all the years the director stayed curious and differentiated with his artistically research and demands. He made it possible that the most important european artists with special languages between, dance, theatre, performance, literature and music where presented in Budapest!
György Szabó has to go on with this!

Nico from the Navigators

"Tremendous loss and great shame"

Gyorgy Szabo, amazing & one of a kind director of Trafo, widely respected home of contemporary international culture in Budapest has recently lost his post. Could he be too interesting, relevant, positive and energetic for the Hungarian blues? Tremendous loss and great shame.

Dr. Jutka Devenyi, Director, Arts and Culture Programme, HIVAN. University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

MAGYAR NYELVŰ FORDÍTÁSÉRT KATTINTS IDE

"To remove him after decades of devoted, tireless and inspiring leadership is a blow to contemporary artists across the globe, and especially for the artists in Hungary whom he has championed year after year"

As a funder and former producer of contemporary dance in the U.S, I have admired Gyuri Szabo's vision, leadership, and commitment to open dialogue and exchange as head of Trafo Contemporary Art House.

Trafo and Gyuri are synonymous - it is because of Gyuri and his outstanding team that Trafo became known as an important hub for contemporary performance and expression - not only in Budapest, but also in numerous countries around the world. 

His advocacy for artists opened up so many possibilities, creating opportunity and breaking down barriers. 

To remove him after decades of devoted, tireless and inspiring leadership is a blow to contemporary artists across the globe, and especially for the artists in Hungary whom he has championed year after year. 

While change is always difficult, this change is needless and damaging and will not move Trafo, Hungary, or the contemporary performance field forward - it will instead be a giant and misguided leap backwards.

Sara C. Nash, Funder/Producer, Boston, MA

MAGYAR NYELVŰ FORDÍTÁSÉRT KATTINTS IDE

"This is an institution that will help bring the city into the 21st century"

I want to agree with Stewart Collinson and others in stating that Trafó is a necessary force in the cultural life of Budapest. 

I had the honour of performing there in 2009. 

Budapest has much of the old culture. This is an institution that will help bring the city into the 21st century. 

Thank you for having been there!!!

Kathleen Supové, Concert Pianist, Curator, New Music Specialist

MAGYAR NYELVŰ FORDÍTÁSÉRT KATTINTS IDE

"I admire the work of the team"

We need TRAFO! I want to state and underline HOW MUCH I value the TRAFO as a location itself, as a space where to find input and that I admire the work of the team, that has offered me so many possibilities of living culture. 

I hope everybody who allows the disappearance of such place comes to his/her senses.


Camilla Vetters, Applied Theatre Scientist, Berlin

MAGYAR NYELVŰ FORDÍTÁSÉRT KATTINTS IDE

"[This] would segregate the Hungarian dance scene even further and hinder the closing of the gap between the local and international arts scene"

I fullheartedly agree that Szabo Gyuri is the soul and spirit of Trafo-house. He's vision and care built  a singular institution, one that is the only link between the Hungarian dance/performing arts scene to the rest of the world. It is a great mistake to think that anyone could improve on the functioning and standing of Trafo House without Gyuri and his team's presence.

He's charisma and vision has defined the place and managed it to the best of it's abilities without much external support. Through the years he's to built a much loved, well functioning base and a very dedicated following. 

He's supported the most important facet of art making, the exchange between artists. Most importantly, in between Hungarian artists and artists from abroad. People came to Trafo to see dance made by Hungarian choreographers as well as visiting companies of very high qualities. 

Losing that opportunity would segregate the Hungarian dance scene even further and hinder the closing of the gap between the local and international arts scene. The Hungarian dance scene barely has a presence abroad and it hardly has a full view on works created abroad. Without this institution functioning as it is, that last link would be lost and the Hungarian Arts scene would suffer a major loss. Let's not let that happen. 

In my opinion Bozsik Yvette should receive her own support to run her company certainly, but not at the expense of replacing the creator and well loved leader of an institution.  

I think the real solution would be to create a separate dance space for Yvette and allow for a healthy competition so they could create not only their own works, but most importantly a larger, educated audience. 

One with choice and a wider view on what is the state of the international and national performing arts scene. That would serve best the needs of culture in Hungary as well as Yvette and György. 

I hope this decision will be revised and Gyuri will receive not only reinstatement but also further support and financial freedom to continue and support Trafo House. Continuing this well established creative exchange between Hungarian artists and the larger world is paramount for the local art scene to thrive.    

Tamas Moricz,  Dancer, Choreographer, Berlin

MAGYAR NYELVŰ FORDÍTÁSÉRT KATTINTS IDE