Hungarian State Opera artists issue joint appeal over past labor lawsuits

More than 80 former and current ballet dancers, choreographers, ballet masters, and cultural professionals have issued a joint appeal regarding labor lawsuits at the Hungarian State Opera. The signatories are calling on individuals who participated in legal proceedings against members of the ballet company over the last 15 years to decline any new positions, assignments, or public duties.

The appeal states that during the past decade and a half, the institution initiated multiple lawsuits against ballet artists, attempting to prove their professional incompetence. According to the statement, the Opera lost these cases without exception, with courts ruling the methods used as unjust. The signatories argue that those who acted as witnesses for the employer or supported the removal of colleagues have lost their professional credibility and the trust of their peers.

The group has also addressed Zoltán Tarr, the Minister responsible for social relations and culture, and Ervin Nagy, the State Secretary for culture. They are urging the new cultural administration not to appoint these individuals to leadership or decision-making roles, warning that doing so could undermine the credibility of the government’s intent to reform the sector.