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Europe's Troublemakers

Europe's Troublemakers: Episode 1: Hungary: Ivan Fischer

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Episode 1: Hungary: Ivan Fischer

Hungary: Ivan Fischer

BBC Radio 4 - Europe's Troublemakers, Hungary: Ivan Fischer

Lucy Ash meets Ivan Fischer, the conductor who is holding up a mirror to Hungarian society

Lucy Ash meets Ivan Fischer, the conductor and composer who is holding up a mirror to Hungarian society and using culture to expose growing racial intolerance.

In Hungary, she meets Ivan Fischer - the conductor and composer who is holding up a mirror to Hungarian society and using culture to expose growing racial intolerance. The success of the extreme right wing party Jobbik in the 2010 elections prompted him to write an opera denouncing anti-Semitism. Fischer's opera, The Red Heifer draws on an incident 130 years ago when a young girl went missing in a village in North East Hungary. Local Jews were accused of murdering the 14 year old and were eventually acquitted but blood libel stories such as these still resonate more than a century later. But some have accused Fischer of cultural politicking and say he is in danger of besmirching the country's image abroad. Lucy catches up with the composer as he rehearses for his next performance.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Lucy Ash profiles five controversial characters from different corners of the continent

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Europe's Troublemakers

Episode 1: Hungary: Ivan Fischer

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