The Berliner Ensemble supports the protests of students and teachers of the Budapest University of Theatre and Film Arts and therefore cancels its planned guest performance of 'Medea' at the MITEM Festival in Budapest.
"We have been observing the current developments in the theatre scene in Budapest with great dismay. The transferral of the leadership positions at the renowned University of Theatre and Film Arts to the newly established pro-government ‘Foundation for Theatre and Film Arts’ has effectively rid the university of its autonomy. This is another step by the Orbán government to enforce conformity on culture – the appointment of national theatre artistic director Attila Vidnyánszky as president of the foundation further emphasises this effort and increases Vidnyánszky influence on the theatre scene. The process of restructuring, which did not involve the previous university management, is undemocratic in every respect. As a sign of solidarity, the Berliner Ensemble has therefore cancelled its guest performance of 'Medea' at next year's MITEM theatre festival under the directorship of Attila Vidnyánszky." Oliver Reese, artistic director