They have shut us down for 30 days — but the story does not end here.

2026.03.06.

In light of the events of the past few days, we believe it is important to clarify several facts and misunderstandings.

Turbina is not a “drug venue”.

No drugs were found at Turbina, and no arrests were made inside Turbina. This is confirmed by the fact that during the surveillance conducted by the authorities, no police action took place within our walls. This was also underlined by one of the participants in the undercover police operation, Police Sergeant László Sütő, who eventually revealed his identity during one of our events.

We would also like to add that the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) is making a false claim: our staff can testify, and we have camera footage showing the aforementioned operations leader informing us and shaking hands with our colleague in front of Turbina.

Immediate and drastic closure, completely disregarding the principles of graduality and proportionality

It is particularly notable that the decision forming the basis of the current measure names three individuals, two of whom had already been subject to the relevant procedure since 2025. The third person, a Tunisian national, has not been identified by us inside the venue, and his name has never appeared in our ticketing database. This raises the question: if the authorities had knowledge of the alleged activities, why did they not inform us, as part of their duty of crime prevention? Why was closure the first – and immediately the most drastic – step? Why was it impossible to follow the principles of graduality and proportionality? Why are the livelihoods of more than one hundred members of our team, including families with small children, being put at risk by a single administrative decision?

The issue is not the work of the authorities, but the lack of willingness to cooperate.

We want to emphasize: the problem is not that the authorities are conducting investigations. The problem is that we were not involved in this process in any way. We received no notification and no opportunity to cooperate or jointly address a potential problem. We firmly believe that cooperation between cultural venues and the authorities would be the only truly effective path – especially considering that our powers are limited: in the absence of legal authorization, our security service cannot carry out coercive measures, searches, or full body checks, nor can we install cameras in restrooms (and we would not want to do so in any case).

**WE ARE APPEALING.
**
We are submitting an appeal in this case, in which we will point out that the police decision is based on weak and indirect evidence, as the closure relies solely on the testimonies of a few individuals who were detained, and who may have had an interest in shifting responsibility onto others. Neither Turbina nor its employees have participated in any criminal activity. We are also examining the possibility of initiating legal proceedings for defamation and damage to reputation.

We would also like to address our community.

We cannot allow this situation to intimidate us. Budapest’s nightlife and cultural life has always been about cooperation, freedom, and coming together. We ask everyone to continue attending concerts, clubs, and cultural events. Do not stay home out of fear. Situations like this can easily become part of communication campaigns built on division and the creation of uncertainty. The best possible response is to refuse to let ourselves be atomized as a community. Together we are strong.

**ON SUNDAY, MARCH 8, AT 3 PM, WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US IN FRONT OF TURBINA FOR A GROUP PHOTO WITH OUR STAFF AND PERFORMERS.
**

2026.03.04.

On the morning of March 4, authorities ordered a one-month closure of the Turbina Cultural Center, citing nothing more than a verbal allegation. We are currently reviewing our options with our legal representatives.

In February, the police monitored the venue for several weeks as part of a covert operation. During this surveillance, they found no violations, and no police action was taken. Following the operation, the mission leader informed our head of security that we should not expect a closure, stating they had not witnessed such a level of professionalism, care, and exemplary operation at any other venue in Budapest, and were fully satisfied with Turbina’s functioning. In contrast, the current closure is based on a statement linked to a separate proceeding, in which an individual (outside the premises of Turbina) claimed to have purchased a prohibited substance inside the venue.

Over the past years, Turbina has become one of Budapest’s most active and vital independent cultural spaces. Our concerts, electronic music events, and exhibitions have provided a platform for hundreds of local and international creators and served as a meeting point for contemporary culture for tens of thousands of people. We have regularly hosted scientific symposiums, roundtable discussions, film screenings, self-development and creative workshops, songwriting camps, board game nights, children’s programs, and numerous other community events.

The current measure is the result of a legal environment that shifts disproportionate responsibility onto cultural venues for complex social phenomena. We are convinced that closing these spaces does not solve real problems—however, it can very quickly destroy communities, creative platforms, and the cultural fabric of a city.

Throughout its operation, Turbina Cultural Center has always prioritized visitor safety and responsible event management. Therefore, we are currently reviewing this decision from both a legal and professional standpoint, and we will challenge this unprecedented ruling with all available legal means.

We are doing everything in our power to prevent the financial ruin of Turbina so that we may continue our work—alongside our more than 100 dedicated employees—to strengthen Budapest’s independent cultural scene. To anyone who holds a fond memory of Turbina, we ask for your support in our survival here or via the following bank account:

• Account Number: 11705008-22573009

• Comment/Reference: TÁMOGATÁS (SUPPORT)

The story does not end here. We continue.