Attila Vidnyánszky: I promised there would be no Russian troupes at the Theater Olympics, and there is none

“The Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre is canceling its participation in the 10th International Theater Olympics in Budapest.” The announcement comes from the Ukrainian National Theater, which would have performed two plays in Budapest. They emphasized in their reasoning that they were assured four months ago that there would be no Russian performers at the Theater Olympics. They add, however, that this pledge has never materialized. We asked Attila Vidnyanszky, a member of the International Committee of the Theatre Olympics and director of the National Theatre of Hungary, for his thoughts.

Vidnyánszky Attila Fotó: Kurucz Árpád

Attila Vidnyánszky: We invited them even when there was no war 

He emphasized that despite all this, he is very sorry the Ukrainian company will not be joining. “I truly believe that culture is communication, mutual curiosity, and respect. The other controversial work, Persepolis, directed by Fokin, is an extraordinary film which was shot before the war, and which contains expressly pacifist content. It conveys strong pacifist thoughts just as the vision materialized in the play entitled Rex; it is anything but pro-war. In fact, on the request of the Ukrainian National Theater, we removed Persepolis from the program and moved it to the University of Theater and Film. I realize they are in a terribly difficult situation, so once again I will emphasize that I find it very regrettable.  

In their announcement, the Ukrainian Theater also emphasized that they will be holding many Western performances – to that I can only add that we invited them to come even before the war. We were interested in them and were able to cooperate as friends; I even invited them to Berehove (Beregszász) knowing that Hungarians could never expect an invitation in return because it would be unthinkable for a minority of another nation living in Ukraine to perform at their National Theater.

Here at the National Theater in Budapest, we organize the Hungarian minorities’ theater festival, Jelen/lét, on an annual basis. Nevertheless, the doors of the National Theater are still open to them,” stated Attila Vidnyánszky adding that they are open to renegotiating the terms of the Kiev troupe’s performance. 

(Foto: Árpád Kurucz)