Kneecap respond to being banned from Hungary by “authoritarian government” ahead of Sziget
Both Kneecap and Sziget have issued statements condemning the Hungarian government’s decision to ban the group from the country and stop them from performing at the festival.
The iconic annual festival is one of the largest in the world. This year, it is set to be headlined by internationally renowned talent such as Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Post Malone, Anyma, and Shawn Mendes. However, following intervention from the Hungarian government, Kneecap will no longer be able to perform after they were banned from the country.
Earlier today (July 24th), Hungary’s Secretary of State for International Communication, Zoltan Kovacs, announced the Irish trio had been banned for three years from entering the European country.
Kovacs wrote on X on July 24th: “Hungary’s government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget … citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification.”
He also alleged that Kneecap performing at Sziget “normalizes hate and terror, and puts democratic values on the line”.
Kneecap have since hit back, writing on social media, “To the tens of thousands of fans who were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we’re sorry we won’t be with you. The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we ‘pose a national security threat’.”
They say this comment is “fucking outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.”
Kneecap claims “there is no legal basis for his actions” before highlighting that no member of the band has ever been convicted of any crime. The trio also state they “stand against all hate crimes” and label it a “political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Meanwhile, Sziget issued an official statement, shared with Far Out, condemning the decision, revealing they “received official notice” of the decision at 11:00am that “the Hungarian Government will deny entry to the band Kneecap into Hungarian territory in order to prevent them performing at Sziget on August 11”.
The statement then described the decision by Hungarian authorities “an unprecedented move which we believe is both unnecessary and regrettable.”
Sziget explained that they have “liaised closely with the band, and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget’s values or Hungarian law”, following concerns raised by government officials and pressure groups regarding the band’s set.
The festival, which was founded in 1993, added: “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.”
They proudly stated that Sziget has established a positive reputation as a festival which is “a free and safe place for different cultures” to be expressed. However, they believe that Kneecap’s ban “may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary’s standing worldwide.”
The statement concluded: “Sziget Festival will continue to do everything in its power to remain, in every sense, The Island of Freedom.”
Kneecap member Mo Chara is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 20th, relating to a terror offence he was charged with in May, but has not been convicted. The charge relates to footage that surfaced on social media from a historic concert that emerged earlier this year, which seemingly sees him wave a Hezbollah flag and chant “Up Hamas”.
After the footage resurfaced, the band later condemned both Hamas and Hezbollah, stating, “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.”
Additionally, last week, it was confirmed that no action would be taken following a police investigation into their performance at the Glastonbury Festival last month.
Sziget Festival is set to run from August 6th to August 11th.
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