For almost two months, Hungarian students occupying the Film and Theater University in Budapest have been protesting against changes in the school board ordered by the Hungarian government. Yesterday, thousands of people demonstrated with demands for increased academic and artistic freedom.
“Free country, free universities”, the protesters chanted as they marched with torches through Budapest.
It was students at the University of Film and Theater, but also students from other schools and unions who joined. Speeches were given and music was played.
It all started this summer when the Hungarian government decided that the state film and theater university would be subordinated to a foundation where the board was appointed by the government. The change would, among other things, raise the quality of teaching, it was said, at the same time as a former military man was appointed chairman of the board.
But the reactions at the university became strong. The management resigned in protest, students and teachers began an occupation of the school. They believe that the change is really an attempt to limit the artistic and academic freedom of the school. Documentary film student Asia Der is one of those protesting. According to her, a kind of cultural war is going on in Hungary.
– The government claims that our school is characterized by a left-liberal ideology, while they want the education to emphasize Christianity, the family and the nation. But we claim that there is artistic freedom at our university – we do not want any over-ideology here, says Asia Der.
Hungarian government denies that they want to restrict the freedom of universities. But according to Asia, there are more examples of just this and mention how the government has gained greater influence over the funding of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the restriction of the Soros-funded Central European University’s activities in the country.
The occupation of film and theater universities has now been going on for almost two months.
– It will not end until we get our independence back, says Asia Der.