"Can it be regarded as a democratic decision that new directors are being appointed to national public institutions before the elections?" was the question posed in writing to István Hiller by János Halász, the Fidesz deputy-chairman of parliament's committee for culture. In Halász's opinion, the minister of culture could have extended the appointments of the heads presently in office to the few months that are left until the general elections, since their posts expired six months ago anyway. Halász stressed the point to our magazine that "the appointment of successors took place without any political deals behind the scenes."

Márton Méhes was appointed to be the head of the Viennese Collegium Hungaricum for an indefinite period from January 2010, and Krisztina Reményi was made head of the Hungarian Embassy's Cultural Service in Brussels. Their selection seems to have been the most problem-free of such cases. Heads of other institutions have been appointed for a five-year period.

The greatest political reverberation has been created by the replacement of the head of the National Gallery because the presumptive recipient of the post is Ferenc Csák, gallerist and István Hiller's state secretary. Criticism could be easily deflected in this case because of the fact that Csák, who comes from a family of art collectors and who was educated in Germany, was the only person who threw his hat into the ring for the position. However, it was known in advance that Csák had already been selected for the directorial position. One of the members of the jury, Júlia Fabényi, returned her appointment in protest because of this. Csák's opponents are of the opinion that just because somebody is a good cook at home doesn't necessarily mean that they are qualified to run a five-star hotel. Moreover, an amendment of the act on museum institutions has just come out, allowing works of art to be loaned for five years. There is major concern among many people that the temporary transfer of works of art, codices and ancient documents from the vaults of public collections to the exhibition halls of private galleries will undermine the important role now played by national institutions.

The new director-general of the Hungarian National Museum will be the historian, László Csorba, the former director of the Hungarian Academy in Rome, who will be replacing his predecessor Tibor Kovács after the latter's retirement in February. This was the only post for which there was a real scrum. Csorba's appointment was a disappointment primarily for archaeologists, and two archaeologist academics, Miklós Szabó and Csanád Bálint, sent an open letter to István Hiller requesting that, in accordance with the two centuries old tradition, an archaeologist be given the post of National Museum director-general.

The most serious consternation was caused by the replacement of István Monok, the director-general of the National Széchényi Library (OSZK). Monok is seen by many as being the embodiment of the cause of "the Hungarian book." The news of his dismissal prompted the launch of a petition (signed by members of the literati) against his removal and the proclamation first issued on the homepage of the periodical Life and Literature (Élet és Irodalom) was signed (independently of any political affiliation) by the members of the College of the Directors of University Libraries in Hungary and the senior members of the college of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, as well as representatives of other areas of intellectual life. Monok is widely regarded as an indispensable expert on Hungarian written records as well as on modern electronic content and its management, and this view extends beyond Hungary. This is indicated by OSZK having become integrated into the international scene under his directorship, and its having become a partner on an equal footing with the most prominent libraries in the world.

As Béla Mader, the director-general of the Library of the University of Szeged and one of the proponents of the above initiative, put it to our magazine: "Ever since his youth, István Monok has exploited his vast knowledge to explore the treasures of our national heritage". István Kenesei, the director of the Research Institute of Linguistics at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences added: "We have worked together with István Monok on several projects, including codex publication, and we are counting on him to organise the planned digitalisation of contents in the humanities too." According to the director, it was Monok's knowledge of library science and modern infrastructure that guaranteed the success of such projects.

Andrea Sajó, who has been selected as István Monok's successor, is a librarian and informatician, and presently a head of department at OSZK, i.e. she works outside the parameters of literary science. In 2006 and 2007 she was the e-learning branch manager at Eduweb, from 1999 to 2005 she was the director of information and knowledge management at the National Communications Authority, and between 1993 and 1999 she was an information researcher for the Matáv Group. János Halász conveys a recommendation to the new appointees that they should not start thinking about refurbishing their new work places. "I trust that the political appointees have enough sense of democracy not to occupy these positions," said the Fidesz politician. However, if they do not, it would be a costly affair since if they were removed after a change in the government, their remuneration for the entire five-year period of their contracts would presumably have to be paid to them.

"I feel humiliated"

We asked István Monok, who is leaving his position as director-general of the National Széchényi Library: "Did the decision surprise you?"

Up to now the press has been the only source of information informing me that my tenure as director will not be extended. I feel humiliated because up to this point I only ever received positive feedback from the ministry of culture and a survey of staff satisfaction produced a rate of close to 85 percent. In spring I was given the Commander Cross of the Order of Merit, but now I feel that my work has not been properly appreciated. The tendering system creates the opportunity for change, but it still matters who you lose to.

"Was this a political decision?"

Not in the sense that my successor was not directly selected from the political scene. However, the new director-general's group will presumably be made up of different people than those with whom we have worked so far. Next year jobs will be announced for five directors, four of them from January.

"What causes will suffer from the change of leadership?"

We prepared several agreements for cooperation with European libraries and big financial funds - I fear that they will have to be re-negotiated. Regular and systematic work on exploring Hungaricums abroad has begun and this might suffer. I already feel that a lack of trust has developed because of the change of leadership, which has led to our partners being more cautious. However, we cannot postpone the deadlines for the European Union tenders. Since the decision, it has been indicated in two central European tenders that they do not wish to regard us as a consortium partner because they have to wait and see if the direction we have been moving in until now will continue. We have launched twenty book series with a dozen publishers in the last ten years. Everyone knows that the only way to acquire the material means for book publishing, scientific activities and exhibitions is through contacts. If Andrea Sajó had the network of contacts for the appointment, I hope she will have it for all that her work will entail.

"An attempt was made to remove you before. Did you think that you stopped being a target?"

On that occasion they accused the library of having had non-contaminated material incinerated, or that it did not destroy contaminated documents, since according to another accusation, rotting, contaminated printed matter found its way from a rubbish heap onto the market. The investigation merely established that the internal communication of the affair was not good and I received a ministerial warning. Then, a year ago, they took me to court for having made my staff work with contaminated material. That was a major contradiction too. I am not naive but I continue to believe that if I work in a consistent manner, according to clear values, this will be appreciated even by those who do not think as I do.

"What will you do from January?"

I have several plans. But I won't make a secret of it that if the position of director-general is advertised on the basis of a professional decision, I will apply for it again.

Interesting and surprising exhibitions

"What do you think are the main tasks of the National Museum?" This was what we asked László Csorba, the new director-general of the institute.

Just what the deed of foundation expresses: to explore, preserve and display the archaeological artefacts and works of lasting value that have been and are still to be found in the territory of the Carpathian Basin from ancient times until now, and to bring together all of the legacy linked to the history of the Hungarian people, wherever it comes from in the world. Of course every period has its own tasks, too: these days it is especially important to renew social consensus that facilitates the operation of the Hungarian community - the National Museum can do much to achieve this goal. It is common knowledge that nowadays competition to attract visitors is increasingly fierce. We can't get far with even the most wonderful material if the way it is presented is not colourful, interesting or surprising.

"The archaeology profession was disappointed that one of their own was not appointed to the new position."

I will do all I can to represent the legitimate interests of the archaeology profession too. The National Museum is the veritable citadel of Hungarian archaeology, thus the correct management and development of an archaeological collection is of scientific interest that enjoys priority. It is an honour that with my predecessor's achievements behind me, I am able to continue this important work. The museum will therefore take on a significant part of the fascinating and significant salvage archaeology work which is carried out in conjunction with large-scale investment projects all over the country.

"Not long ago you stated that "It is the task and responsibility of national museums to enter the arena of public life with their own means. They must scientifically refute baseless declarations made to serve ideology." Apart from this, do you consider it as your task to formulate statements?"

Yes, of course. Science states again and again what the consensus of researchers believes to be true. An exhibition is always an act of creation and intellectually it can never just be denial - the exhibition is always a statement of something, too. There will certainly be provocative and questionable, and indeed experimental exhibitions, yet each one of them will profoundly extend the fundamental statement, namely, that the first step in providing a solution to the great and vital questions in the history of a nation is the open, peaceful and democratic dialogue between scientific and artistic thoughts.