National Theatre director Attila Vidnyánszky faces ministry audit

Attila Vidnyánszky, the director of the National Theatre, is facing a leadership crisis following a meeting with Zoltán Tarr, the Minister responsible for social relations and culture. Vidnyánszky initially claimed in a television interview that his dismissal was a ‘decided fact’ and that the ministry intended to terminate his contract through a mutual agreement. He expressed reluctance to sign such an agreement unless professional reasons for his removal were documented in writing.

However, Minister Zoltán Tarr refuted these claims, describing Vidnyánszky’s statements as ‘clickbait’ and ‘untruths’ intended to hinder dialogue. Following the meeting at the ministry, the government announced that instead of an immediate dismissal, an audit will be launched at the National Theatre to ensure legal, professional, and efficient operations. The ministry emphasized that as a publicly funded institution, the theatre must operate transparently.

The situation has also involved public confrontations. Actor and activist Áron Molnár met Vidnyánszky outside the ministry, leading to a heated exchange where Molnár alleged Vidnyánszky insulted him by calling him ‘small and talentless.’ Additionally, former director Róbert Alföldi has publicly disputed Vidnyánszky’s characterizations of previous theatrical productions.