Investigation Launched into the Operation of the Hungarian State Opera House’s Notorious Buffet
Following a scandal emerging at the Hungarian State Opera House, an investigation has been launched by Budapest's VI District concerning the legal operation of the establishment’s buffet, it came to light this past March.
Despite this, the Opera House's director, Szilveszter Ókovács, seemed unaware or uninformed about the inquiry.
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As reported by Index, following an incident on March 3, 2024, which resulted in halving the performance of "Carmina Burana" so attendees could patronize the buffet, generating additional revenue for the Opera House, it was revealed that the Opera had only declared its buffet operation on March 4, 2024. This declaration came after the scandal broke out, raising questions about the buffet's legality and operation prior to March 4. It appears that between January 13, 2024, and March 4, 2024, the Opera House only had a permit for its OperaShop, and not for the buffet, which was instead operated by Magna Catering Ltd from November 10, 2023, to January 13, 2024.
Interestingly, the buffet currently holds a valid operating permit under Opera Gastronomy Ltd., associated with the Zsidai Group, which is in litigation with the Opera House and hence does not operate the buffet or perform any activities within the premises.
Reacting to the situation on March 21, 2024, Szilveszter Ókovács refuted the allegations to Index, claiming the notification was made immediately and that they had been addressing the matter since October. "Not everyone is destined or interested in you getting valid information,” he remarked.
Despite Ókovács's statements, the district administration reiterated that an investigation regarding the buffet's earlier operations is ongoing and will provide further details in due course. The Culture and Innovation Ministry, responsible for the Opera House, has not commented on the matter, which raises potential tax and public health concerns.
On March 21, 2024, Ókovács expressed his views, emphasizing the state's interest as paramount, stating, “I represent the state, and all resources are channeled towards the Opera’s operation. In compliance, securely, legally.”
The scandal originally erupted on March 3 due to Ókovács's directive to interrupt the "Carmina Burana" performance, leading conductor Tibor Bogányi to abandon the production. Ókovács referred to the incident as a "pseudo-scandal,” while Kossuth Prize-winning opera singer and recipient of the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, Erika Miklósa, also spoke out. The affair has since sparked a flurry of memes across social media.
PERMISSION REQUESTED RETROACTIVELY
As reported by Index, following an incident on March 3, 2024, which resulted in halving the performance of "Carmina Burana" so attendees could patronize the buffet, generating additional revenue for the Opera House, it was revealed that the Opera had only declared its buffet operation on March 4, 2024. This declaration came after the scandal broke out, raising questions about the buffet's legality and operation prior to March 4. It appears that between January 13, 2024, and March 4, 2024, the Opera House only had a permit for its OperaShop, and not for the buffet, which was instead operated by Magna Catering Ltd from November 10, 2023, to January 13, 2024.
Interestingly, the buffet currently holds a valid operating permit under Opera Gastronomy Ltd., associated with the Zsidai Group, which is in litigation with the Opera House and hence does not operate the buffet or perform any activities within the premises.
Reacting to the situation on March 21, 2024, Szilveszter Ókovács refuted the allegations to Index, claiming the notification was made immediately and that they had been addressing the matter since October. "Not everyone is destined or interested in you getting valid information,” he remarked.
Despite Ókovács's statements, the district administration reiterated that an investigation regarding the buffet's earlier operations is ongoing and will provide further details in due course. The Culture and Innovation Ministry, responsible for the Opera House, has not commented on the matter, which raises potential tax and public health concerns.
On March 21, 2024, Ókovács expressed his views, emphasizing the state's interest as paramount, stating, “I represent the state, and all resources are channeled towards the Opera’s operation. In compliance, securely, legally.”
The scandal originally erupted on March 3 due to Ókovács's directive to interrupt the "Carmina Burana" performance, leading conductor Tibor Bogányi to abandon the production. Ókovács referred to the incident as a "pseudo-scandal,” while Kossuth Prize-winning opera singer and recipient of the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, Erika Miklósa, also spoke out. The affair has since sparked a flurry of memes across social media.
Translation:
Translated by AI
