1988. április (71-108. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
í', « ^ 9 ®[1KmÍ ; Editor: György Krassó » 24/D Little Russell Street * London, WC1A 2HN * Tel. 01-430 2126 (írom abroad 441-430 2126) 78/1988 (E) K)th April, 1988 1 Restrictive Measures Against the Independent Movements, | Debate about the Jewish Question in the Rakpart Club. f* Independent movements have existed sporadically fór 10-20 years bút it was only at the beginning of the eighties that they started, chiefly under the aegis of different institutes, to blossom. The patriotic and social clubs which (according to a state- s. ment last year by the club council) "were established by intellectuals who feel p responsible fór the fate of the nation - mainly 20-30 year olds - must be able to debate their problems openly without restriction". Club lectures were held by writers, artists, research scientists and public figures. The operation of the clubs caused great antipathy "from above" and Controls and restrictions by the authorities are jjj never ending, the most outspoken clubs were forbidden, bút despite this they could nőt be eliminated and today there are nearly 4-0 active groups which belong to the Club Council. Restrictive regulations have increased in recent weeks against clubs, other free forums and newly formed independent organisations. The organisers of the YDA received a police warning the day before yesterday bút, as two of them reported, the proceedings despite their polite tone were unlawful because the summons did nőt classify the case and no copy of the police report was received. Fór this reason Dr Viktor Orbán refused to sign it and to answer auestions. The YDA will hold a public meeting this evening. László Romhanyi the director of the Jurta Theatre paid the 5000 Forint fine imposed on him fór operating the Jurta without permissión and thus avoided a 25 day prison sentence. The Jurta received a letter from the Budapest City Council’c Cultural íDepartment Executive Committee which referring to a statement maae by the Ministry of Cultűre forbade a performance of József Nyiro’s play "Jesus Carving Kan". Accord- i. ing to the deci sión Nyiro was a war monger. |í Meanwhile the activities of clubs and forums are increasing. Somé of their plans: the ecologists and environijjentalists organised a walk in Prédikálószék. On May 19th the Jurta Theatre will organise a lecture and exhibition about the Recsk'-Labour Camp. The recently formed YSC, Young Sociologists Club, will conduct discussions with András f Hegedűs and Rudolf Andorka among others in April and will organise a debate about the school reforms and plans a meeting about the média to which the lawyer Gábor Halmai, the writer Miklós Haraszti, an editor of the independent periodical Beszélő ("The Talker"), and Richard Hirschler who works fór the magaziné Heti Világgaszdaság (Weekly World Economy), were invited. Yesterday on April 9th the Jurta Theatre was again full, nearly 4-00 people heard | lectures and debates about "Jewish Self-Knowledge" organised by the Rakpart Club. The Jewish question has been a taboo subject in Hungary fór decades. At yesterday’s Éji meeting three lectures were given. The sociologist András Kovács delivered a historical | review of tíje process of Jewish assimilation. Ferenc Erős a psychiatrist spoke about the social and individual consequences of the Holocaust. György Gadó the editor of the samizdat periodical Magyar Zsidó ("Hungárián Jew") stressed that the loss of identity consciousness has serious consequences which have nőt only been experienced by the Jews bút by the whole of Hungárián society. The only solution is a renewed demo- cratic Hungary where the Jews can intergrate intő the whole nation as a minority, ethnic community. The journalist István Szász said that those Jews who represent the worst in society are partly to blame fór anti-semitism. During the debate Antal Bogad proposed forming a scinority protection committee. Tibor Holczer read out a proposal sent to Parüment: the Hungárián Republic must renew diplomatic links with Israel. Subscribers can use or quote the Hungárián October newsletters in totál or in detail as long as the source is acknowledged.
