An organisation named after prominent Hungarian singer Juli Fábián has created a charity, #savethebackstage, to help, care for and distribute donations among the music industry’s backstage staff left without any income due to the coronavirus.
Established in 2017 after the death of young singer-songwriter Juli Fábián, the foundation helps musicians unable to create or perform due to prolonged illness, and so losing their income. However, the coronavirus pandemic has shown that the entire music scene can be left without work when crisis strikes.
Restrictions on events were already a huge blow to the music industry last spring and, although summer brought some relief, the second wave of the virus had a devastating effect. Everyone without considerable savings has felt the impact of the situation, and online concerts, though useful, cannot provide for all within the industry.
The foundation was also collecting donations last spring, when ten million forints was raised. Sadly, it was clear even then that this was not enough to help all members of the music industry, and the problem grew worse.
There are many who have spent decades
in the music industry as backstage workers, and although they’ve acquired
special expertise, they find it difficult to get jobs in other fields.
The
foundation has created T-shirts and jumpers specifically for the purpose of
raising money for these individuals.
The items can be ordered on the campaign’s online store and on Popshop.hu. All proceeds will be distributed through the foundation to those in need. T-shirts and jumpers can now be ordered, and delivery will begin in early February.
