On January 16, 2012 the mayor of Budapest, István Tarlós announced his decision about the new managing director of Trafó, House of Contemporary Arts. From among the two contestants he chose the renowned choreographer Yvette Bozsik over the founding director György Szabó, who has been shaping and running the venue for 13 years. 

It is with great concern that we urge you to protest with us against what has been a clearly political and unprofessional decision and would bring about the end of Trafó as we know it.

A unique hothouse and meeting point presenting cutting-edge theatre, dance, performance art and music both by Hungarian and international artists, Trafó is one of Europe’s most prestigious venues. For years, it has been committed to introducing some of today’s finest and most innovative companies from all over the world to local audiences, while programming, coproducing and internationally promoting Hungarian artists. Trafó is unique in that it is the only city-funded institution in Hungary which serves as a steadfast bastion of worldwide exchange between artists and audiences.
 
Trafó furthers the image of Budapest and Hungary. It is mentioned in all tourist guides and attracts a lot of visitors. Trafó is seen as a unique institution, not only in Hungary, but also in the Central-Eastern European region, because of its multidisciplinary character, its consistent, sophisticated and daring programming, and the unique rapport it maintains with its international partners.
  
The international recognition that Trafó enjoys, attests to the informed choices and extensive professional practice of its founder and current director György Szabó and his team. They have succeeded in developing and maintaining the high standard of this arts centre thanks to a clear vision and a deep understanding of today’s cutting-edge performing arts circuit world-wide, its artistic and management practices. György Szabó is regularly invited from Melbourne to New York as a guest speaker to share his expertise with international colleagues and audiences. Trafó’s current multidisciplinary profile is the direct result of the international management experience, network, and knowledge of the contemporary theatre, dance, art and music field that Szabó and his colleagues have developed through years of dedicated work. Without this specific professional experience Trafó would not be able to maintain the same profile.

Yvette Bozsik is a great and gifted choreographer, but it is obvious that she is profoundly lacking in the skills required for the position of the managing director. We looked through both proposals and the difference is striking. Ms. Bozsik’s proposal is that of a dreamer, as a critic put it, with little attention to detail and no idea of the budgetary, organisational and marketing aspects of a presenter’s job and a list of names of wishful thinking, while Szabó’s is that of a practicioner who builds his program year after year with realistic goals in mind and a profound understanding of the business, but still manages to present thought-provoking, rarely or never seen work from all corners of the world. 
 
We, as members and representatives of the contemporary art scene demand of the decision-makers to reconsider their choice, not forgetting what a unique and invaluable cultural asset Trafó has become in the hands of Szabó and his team and let them continue their ground-breaking work for the wonderful city of Budapest. 

If the city wants Yvette Bozsik and her company to have a venue of her own, then provide them with one without ruining one of Budapest’s cultural landmarks.