Selected elements of the Hungarian system of financing culture

Bibliogr. s. 116

As a former communist country, Hungary faces similar problems in culture management as the other countries of Central Europe, since they have become democratic countries at the same time. The issues of the role of state in shaping cultural life and of culture funding especially in times of crisis are being disputed, and the discussions do not lead to a consensus. The specificity of cultural management in Hungary, in addition to a number of typical problems of democracy, is closely linked with the history of the 20th century, the events which have permanently affected the national identity and culture of the country. Since the end of World War I, the matter of cultural nation causes many problems to Hungary, but also creates many possibilities thanks to the Hungarian national minority living in the neighboring countries and the officially recognized nationalities living in Hungary. The current government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, being aware of these extra human and cultural resources, integrates them tightly to the Hungarian cultural system. However, culture seems to have a secondary position in the state structure, being represented only by a state secretariat within the enormous Ministry of Human Resources. For the purpose of giving some examples of the operations of cultural institutions , I describe the legal background of museum institutions, public libraries and general cultural education, which is basically organised into culture houses and centres.