He is euphoric
Translated from Hungarian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Pianist András Schiff has accepted an invitation to perform in Budapest, coinciding with the formation of a new cabinet.
- Schiff, who emigrated from Hungary in 1979 and has lived in England since 2000, has been a vocal critic of Viktor Orbán's government.
- He previously stated he would not return to Hungary while Orbán remained in power, citing concerns about the political atmosphere, racism, and antisemitism.
Renowned pianist András Schiff, an émigré who has long been a staunch critic of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, is set to return to Budapest for a concert. This visit, timed with the establishment of a new cabinet, marks a significant moment for the artist who has not set foot in his homeland since 2012.
he is euphoric, very happy, and hopes that the ugly things that the Orbán government has done will cease.
Schiff, who left Hungary in 1979 and settled in England after a brief period in Austria due to concerns about the far-right, has repeatedly condemned what he describes as Orbán's "authoritarian rule." He has previously expressed deep unease about the political climate in Hungary, drawing parallels to the 1940s and citing rampant racism and antisemitism. These concerns led him to declare he would not perform in Hungary as long as the current leadership remained in power.
Because I have been very ashamed of Hungary for the past sixteen years.
His decision to return, despite his past pronouncements, comes as he reportedly feels "euphoric" and "very happy," hoping that the "ugly things" done by the Orbán government will cease. Schiff has openly stated his embarrassment over Hungary's actions during the past sixteen years. This return, however, is framed by Magyar Nemzet with a critical eye, questioning Schiff's focus on Hungary's alleged antisemitism while he remains silent on rising antisemitism in Western Europe and performs in China, a country with its own human rights concerns.
the political atmosphere is worryingly similar to the 1940s, racism and antisemitism are rampant.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Magyar Nemzet in Hungarian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
Countries Without a Free Press: What You Need to Know
What Press Freedom Means for the News You Read
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
