Recipients of grants from Hungary’s New Festival Capital (NKA) are increasingly returning funds to the state, following decisions regarding allocation made by Balázs Hankó. To date, over 3.3 billion Hungarian Forint (€8.05 million) has been repaid. The reason for the widespread return is currently unclear, but suggests dissatisfaction or inability to utilize the awarded funds under existing conditions. Hankó, responsible for the initial allocation of these arts and culture funds, now faces scrutiny as the recoupment amount continues to grow. The returns raise questions about the effectiveness and appropriateness of the NKA's grant distribution process. Further investigation is needed to determine the full scope of the repayments and their impact on the Hungarian cultural landscape. This development signals potential issues within the state’s funding strategy for the arts.