Latest news with #Szigetfestival
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hungary bans 'national security threat' Kneecap from performing at Sziget festival
The backlash over freedom of speech and controversial Irish rappers Kneecap has intensified following Hungary's decision to ban the group from taking part in the Sziget festival. Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács explained in a post on the X platform that the the decision to ban Kneecap from entering the country and from participating in the Sziget Festival, was due to statements deemed anti-Semitic and glorifying Hamas and Hezbollah. He later added that the immigration authorities had issued a formal decision to ban the band members from entering Hungary for three years, considering their presence a "serious threat to national security". The government had previously asked festival organisers to exclude the band from the event, which is one of Europe's biggest music festivals and attracts hundreds of thousands of music lovers to an island on the Danube every summer. Pro-Palestinian protests The Belfast-based band is known for its support of the Palestinian cause, which it openly expresses at its concerts. One of its most controversial recent appearances came at Britain's Glastonbury Festival, when lead singer Liam O'Hannah, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, accused Israel of committing war crimes. Last May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism-related offence in the UK for displaying a pro-Hezbollah flag. The artist denied the charge, and in previous statements, he emphasised that the band does not support either Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it "condemns all attacks on civilians, at all times". The band is by no means alone in expressing vocal support for the Palestinian cause and the enjoys enormous support from other dozens of artists and cultural figures who've signed petitions and are organising campaigns against what they deem to be censorship. Organisers of the Sziget festival say they've not had official notification of the government's decision, and reject pressure to cancel the 11 August performance. "Our festival remains true to what we have achieved over the past 30 years. There is no place for hate, incitement, prejudice or any form of racism or anti-Semitism" said Sziget in a statement. This year's edition features some of the biggest names in music, including Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX. Solve the daily Crossword
Extra.ie
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Kneecap respond after being banned from Hungary ahead of festival appearance
Kneecap have been banned from Hungary before they were due to play a festival in the country, over what their government deemed 'anti semitic' comments. The rap group, who have been outspoken on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, were due to play Sziget festival — one of the biggest festivals in Europe that have a large number of Irish people that go annually — on August 11. However, the Minister of Communications in Hungary Zoltan Kovacs said that Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí were banned from the country for three years, claiming that they have made anti-semitic comments and glorified terrorist organisations. Kneecap have been banned from Hungary before they were due to play a festival in the country, over what their government deemed 'anti semitic' comments. Pic: James Veysey/Shutterstock '@Kneecapceol are officially banned from entering Hungary—for antisemitism and glorifying terror,' Kovacs wrote on Twitter (X). 'When hate ignores the mail, we put it on a wall. This is what we call 'service by public notice.' In plain English: if you won't read the letter, you'll see it on the poster.' He attached a letter, that is in Hungarian, outlining the ban, but Sziget festival organisers have called the ban 'unnecessary and regrettable,' and that they have been liaising with Kneecap who said that their set won't contravene Sziget's values or Hungarian law. The band have since confirmed that they won't be performing at the festival, taking aim at the Órban government and saying that there's 'no legal basis' for the ban. Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Provaí of Kneecap performing at Glastonbury. Pic: Ki Price/WireImage 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Órban say we 'pose a national security threat.' Which is f***ing outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago,' the band said. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it. 'It's clear that this is a political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people. Much like the good people of Budapest, who defied their own President's ban on their 'pride parade' in June, we will fight for what is right.' The band have called out the Hungarian government's decision, saying that them posing a national security threat is 'f***ing ridiculous.' Pic: Sony Pictures/Everett/REX/Shutterstock 'Sziget Festival's values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution,' a statement from Sziget's organisers have said. 'Sziget Festival will continue to do everything in its power to remain, in every sense, The Island of Freedom.' The Hungarian government, led by Viktor Órban, are a close ally of Israel, having removed themselves from the International Criminal Court — where there's a warrant out for Prime Minister Benjamin Netnanyahu's arrest — and hosted Netanyahu on a state visit.
