Masha Gessens sharp criticism of the theme Hungary – Göteborgs-Posten

Masha Gessens sharply criticized Balassiinstitutet and Book Fair’s cooperation with the Hungarian Cultural Institute. Among other things, she described Hungary as a place that in many ways reminiscent of Russia – a kind of mafia state, where Gypsies and homosexuals living under siege. Her inaugural speech received the Hungarian delegation to get up and go.

The Russian-American journalist and author Masha Gessen is one of the main guests this year’s Book Fair. She attended the opening ceremony as speakers, along with the Swedish culture and democracy, Minister Alice Bah Kuhnke, head of the Balassi Institute Judit Hammerstein and Islands Culture Illugi Gunnarsson.

And she sharply criticized the Book Fair cooperation with the State-financed Hungarian Cultural Institute Balassi.

“I am dismayed to share the stage with a representative of the Hungarian Government.” She said, among other things.

The speech received the Hungarian delegation on the spot during the opening ceremony to get up and go.

– they, through their participation, this can take the credit for delicious Hungarian literature färskäckligt- And besides dangerous, she says to the GP after the inauguration.

At the same time, she is grateful that the Book Fair has given her the opportunity to express their views during the inauguration. And over the speech that the Hungarian writer Péter Esterházy wrote, and during the opening ceremony was read by the publisher Svante Weyler.

– Balassiinstitutet is a government institution and is financed by a regime that is almost neo-Nazi, How to choose Hungary theme country indicates extremely poor judgment, says Masha Gessen.

Those who walked out in protest at Masha Gessens speech was, in addition Judit Hammerstein Also, according Kulturnyheterna, State Secretary István Igyartó.

After the inauguration held Swedish authors are also a protest among the delegates of the Hungarian booth. Sven-Eric Liedman, Lena Gedin, Ami Delblanc with several writers held up protest signs saying, “We turn to the Hungarian refugee policy back” written in English and Swedish.

Daniel Levin, program manager of the Book Fair, did not know it Hungarian delegation’s protest action during the opening ceremony. He says he wants to come back with a comment.