Hungary dismisses heads of three major cultural institutions

On July 25, 2026, the Hungarian Ministry of Culture announced the immediate termination of the directors of three national cultural institutions: Rózsa Dávid of the National Széchényi Library, Cselovszki Zoltán of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Bernert Zsolt of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The decision follows a comprehensive audit of the institutions, which included interviews with staff, trade unions and other stakeholders, and was prompted by numerous employee complaints.

State Secretary Sári Zsolt and Culture Minister Tarr Zoltán indicated that the dismissals are part of a broader restructuring aimed at improving workplace safety, predictability and professional standards. The review also covers the Hungarian National Museum’s Central Collections Centre (MNM KK) and will prepare for its decentralisation and greater institutional autonomy. Further investigations and reforms are expected in the coming months.