Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Director of the National Theatre Attila Vidnyánszky have unveiled a statue of György Schwajda, the first director of the National Theatre; the work is by the sculptor Imre Varga, and stands outside the theatre in Bajor Gizi Park.
“György Schwajda’s life was that of a patriot and a constructive Hungarian personality, who pursued his own path because he knew that time would prove him right. The theatre which he built stands here proudly, and shines: we have taken possession of it, we love it, we attend it with pride, and we boast about it; it is our very own national theatre. The Hungarian people recorded his name in the bulky volume which preserves the memory of those whom we shall remember with gratitude for as long as there are Hungarian-speaking people in the world”, Mr. Orbán said in his speech.
The Prime Minister said that György Schwajda’s role was both theatrical and historic and that, thanks to him, after 165 years the theatre of the nation finally found its home in a building which is worthy of its name and which was specially designed and purpose-built.
“What went on for more than half a century was initially melodramatic, but in later years became increasingly tragic, grotesque and absurd. For a nation which celebrated its newly-won freedom on 15 March 1848 with a theatrical performance, nothing could be more natural than having a flagship theatre which shines like a beacon and reveals to the nation and the world Hungarian culture and Hungary’s concept of theatre ”, the Prime Minister affirmed.
Mr Orbán remarked that, in spite of the fall of communism, the cause of the National Theatre had come to a halt. “At that point, however, a new generation took control of the ship of state and entrusted the task in hand to a new director. The statue of that man – whom we have called a theatre builder ever since – will stand guard here by the completed building.”
Mr Orbán also said that work done in the service of Hungary and Hungarian culture rarely earns friends, but far more often attracts foes. He added that perhaps nobody has done as much for Hungarian theatre in recent decades as György Schwajda did; he was not only a dramatist, dramaturge, theatrical director and theatre and company builder, but also a financial manager.
“He was a strong-willed, straight-talking man who knew no fear and mostly opted for the harder way, but never complained, and never uttered words of bitterness; instead he accomplished that which he had undertaken to do. Those with whom he worked – and I had the privilege to be one of them – simply admired him”, Mr Orbán said.
Writer, playwright and theatrical director György Schwajda (who was born in 1943) wrote his first play “The Clown” at the age of 23. In a career spanning almost four decades, he was the director of the Szolnok Szigligeti Theatre three times, and worked as a dramaturge in Szeged and Miskolc. In 1993–1994 he was the artistic director of the Budapest Artists’ Theatre, which was formed at that time.
He was appointed ministerial commissioner overseeing construction of the new National Theatre in October 1998, and government commissioner for the project in March 1999. He became Chief Executive of the National Theatre Company which was established for the new theatre in September 2000, and was director of the theatre until May 2002. He led the Kaposvár Csiky Gergely Theatre from July 2008 until his death. His main dramas include “The Miracle”, “The Anthem”, “The Lord’s Prayer”, “The Holy Family” and “The Ballad of the Clown of Plot 301”. He published a novel in 1985, which was made into a movie by Dezső Garazs in 1988. He wrote the script for the film “The Rascal of the Railroad Shack”, which was adapted from a novel by Sándor Rideg. He died on 19 April 2010 in Kaposvár.
(Prime Minister's Office/MTI)
