(PDF, 149,29 KB) In the 1980s, when Hungary was fighting its final and seemingly successful battle against the Soviet occupation, the best, bravest theatres were supporting this fight with high-quality performances of classical Russian dramas, which made a great impact on the culturally sensitive part of society. Indirectly, these performances revealed the reasons and goals of the national uprising in 1956. More importantly, the reason behind the failure of the “regime change” as well. They pointed out why gaining and accepting freedom is insufficient in itself. People need to “deserve” freedom. They must be able to practice freedom and transform it into a new, modern national identity. Gábor Zsámbéki’s staging of The Government Inspector in 1987 at the Katona József Theatre, Budapest grabbed the very essence of this process of historical importance under the so-called Velvet Revolution. During its 7-year run, the production became a very important factor that contributed to the country’s positive national identity to blossom.
