German daily paints grim picture of Pécs

Pécs, one of the cultural capitals of Europe, reflects the economic and moral crisis of Hungary, the German newspaper Die Welt wrote in its Tuesday edition.

Reporters Sonja Hartwig and Kilian Trotier say winning the cultural capital title raised high expectations which later turned to disappointment. Many who hoped to have exhibition space have given up hope.

Culture director Tamás Szalay said the system is to blame, which once was communist and remains so to some extent.

Calling the article a smear campaign, Rita Rubovszky, director of festival organisers Hungarofest, told Magyar Hírlap that she will take "the usual measures" against Die Welt.

All staff members, including mayor Zsolt Páva and Culture Minister István Hiller, have worked 16 hours a day in the past few months to steer Hungary's image in a positive direction, she said, adding that she is extremely outraged that it is always in the interest of some people in Hungary to turn success into fiasco.

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