In Hungary, artists demonstrate against ban on large gatherings

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Major music festivals had been canceled until mid-August. With 600 dead and 3,600 cases, Hungary has been less affected by the pandemic than other countries, but as the number of cases increases in neighboring countries, Romania and Serbia, Viktor Orban's government has decided to extend beyond August 15, the ban on gatherings of more than 500 people. However, football matches are authorized in front of thousands of spectators. Hence the discontent of festival-goers and music lovers who demonstrated this Friday, August 7 in Budapest.

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With our correspondent in Budapest, Florence Labruyère

Long hair and black boots, Szilvester is a big fan of rock. He came to demonstrate against the decision to ban festivals welcoming more than 500 people, while football matches are allowed.

"  The government says it's because the public consumes alcohol during concerts," Szilvester denounces. As if football fans were only drinking orange juice!  "

The football season is in full swing as the second league championships are taking place right now. This week there were many matches, sometimes with more than 6,000 spectators. If matches are allowed, it is for a good reason, says Laszlo, nurse.

"  I don't see how we're going to survive  "

"  The favorite sport of the Prime Minister is football," he recalls. That's what the matches are for! Why do you think we can travel to Croatia? It is because all members of the government spend their vacation there. They have their yacht there!  "

► See also: Coronavirus: the Hungarian Parliament approves the end of the controversial state of emergency

The cancellation of festivals is catastrophic for musicians. Marton Elö leads Irie Maffia, one of the country's most famous bands, which mixes hip-hop with reggae mixed with funk. While claiming to understand the public's frustration, he endorsed the government's caution. According to him, a gathering of thousands of people would increase the risk of contamination. Still, the Covid-19 crisis is a disaster for the music scene. "  The only culprit is the virus,  " laments this artist.

“  This year we were to celebrate our 15th anniversary with a new album,” says Marton Elö. We had 60 concerts planned. Almost all of the festivals have been canceled. The group supports 20 people. I don't see how we're going to survive.  "

Sell ​​records

According to Gergely Guyas, government spokesman, musicians will get by by selling records. Words that sparked anger on social networks: in 2020, no one sells records, the artists replied. Concerts represent 90% of revenue.

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• Hungary
• Viktor Orban
• Coronavirus