350 million forints are also available this year for religious creative communities. In many places, support represents the sustaining power of Hungarians and Christian communities.

HUF 350 million is also available this year to support the long-term operation of religious creative communities, music ensembles and musicians. Applications can be submitted until midnight on June 6, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation announced at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday.
Róbert Zsigó highlighted: in the Religious Light Music program, which has been in place since 2019, this year, in addition to the purchase and renovation of musical instruments, you can also apply for the implementation of religious-themed musical events through the Electronic Tender Management and Cooperation System (EPER).

„Our important task is to establish and strengthen the Christian national identity. The Religious Light Music Program promotes the preservation of the religious traditions of the Carpathian Basin and the promotion of religious light music culture ”

said the parliamentary secretary of state.

He explained that since the start of the program, almost eight hundred organizations and more than 1,700 individuals have had access to musical instruments or the technical equipment necessary for their activities, and the church organs of more than 270 settlements were renovated thanks to previous grants.

Last year, 502 individuals and organizations received support, both professionals and beginners.

Applications can be submitted by private individuals, civil organizations, business associations, churches, church-maintained institutions, local minority and national governments, as well as local governments. The support period is for one and a half years, from January this year to June 30, 2025. The program includes modern trends as well as gospel, spiritual and folk rock.

Miklós Soltész, the Prime Minister's State Secretary responsible for church and ethnic relations, spoke about the fact that the program has been advertised for the sixth time, and applications can be made from across the border.

„In many places, support represents the sustaining power of Hungarians and Christian communities ”

- He told.

As he recalled, church folk music started in Hungary in the 1960s and 1970s under the leadership of Jenő Sillye, and at that time it belonged to the forbidden category, therefore the church bands were marginalized both in terms of equipment and opportunities, and they did not receive support. Miklós Soltész added: the situation changed radically in 2019, when the government decided to help religious light music groups within the Carpathian Basin.

" We have a responsibility towards the Hungarian youth of the Carpathian Basin, we must support and help preserve and pass on values, " Miklós Soltész noted.

MTI

Photo: Krisztián Szennyes / Vasarnap.hu