Event Calendar
Budapest–Warsaw Urban ART Symposium
Budapest–Warsaw Urban ART Symposium Exhibition by Maksym Ostrowski Opening: Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM Featuring: Helka (Helga Debreczeni-Kis), Zoltán Batyu Farkas, Gergely Pázmándi Venue: Editorial Office 1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly u. 11/A. ///// Budapest – Warsaw Urban ART Symposium Exhibition of Maksym Ostrowski Opening: October 22, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Musicians: Helka (Helga Debreczeni-Kis), Zoltán Batyu Farkas, Gergely Pázmándi Venue: Editorial Office 1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly u. 11/A. ///// The Polish partner of Budapest’s 2nd District is Warsaw’s smallest district, Żoliborz. The foundation of any successful cooperation is the maintenance of continuous cultural ties between the communities, to which the young Polish visual artist Maksym Ostrowski contributes on this occasion. Maksym’s creative focus is characterized by the depiction of urban buildings, a kind of schematization, reimagining, and contemporary visual representation, reduced to just a few colors. His current creative work is inspired by a comparison of the architectural heritage of Warsaw and Budapest. During the urban ART symposium, the Polish artist depicts buildings constructed over the past 200 years—both in Buda and in Żoliborz—through his unique perspective. The buildings may be from the past century, contemporary (post)modern, structures characteristic of the city’s image or industrial buildings, or tourist attractions that define the cityscape (e.g., bridges, overpasses, churches, train stations). The exhibition, which will open at the Editorial Office on October 22 this year, will be on view for one month. The exhibition is organized by the FolkFest Cultural Association, with the support of the 2nd District Municipality and the National Cultural Fund. We warmly welcome all interested visitors! ///// The Polish partner of Budapest’s 2nd District is Żoliborz, the smallest district of Warsaw. A strong partnership is built on maintaining continuous cultural exchange between the municipalities — which, on this occasion, is being supported by young Polish visual artist Maksym Ostrowski. Maksym’s artistic focus revolves around the depiction, schematization, reinterpretation, and contemporary visualization of urban architecture, often reduced to just a few colors. His current creative work is inspired by the comparison of the architectural heritage of Warsaw and Budapest. During the Urban ART Symposium, the Polish artist will portray buildings—both from Buda and Żoliborz—constructed over the past 200 years, through his unique artistic perspective. These buildings may include structures from the last century, contemporary (post)modern ones, characteristic cityscapes or industrial architecture, or major urban landmarks such as bridges, overpasses, churches, or railway stations. The exhibition opens on October 22 at Szerkesztőség and will be on view for one month. The exhibition is organized by the FolkFest Cultural Association, with the support of the Municipality of Budapest’s 2nd District and the National Cultural Fund of Hungary. All visitors and art enthusiasts are welcome.
6th Somló FolkFest
In 2025, the FolkFest Cultural Association will host the Somló FolkFest folk music micro-festival on Somló Hill for the sixth time. On Friday, August 15, visitors are invited to a concert and dance party in the courtyard of the Csatári Winery, overlooking the basalt columns. Program: 8:00 PM - Concert by Nóvé Soma and Sándor Csoóri Jr. https://youtu.be/Btv3PE3t4uc?si=esDsRQBfCauGS0-o 9:00 PM - Berka dance party Admission is free, and everyone is warmly welcome! This year, our association is organizing the Somló FolkFest entirely on our own, without external funding. Please, if you can, contribute to the event’s costs and the association’s operations! donably.com/folkfest-hungary patreon.com/folkfest Bank account number: 16200151-18547890-00000000
Somló FolkFest 5th // Vujicsics 50, Batyu-Borbély Duo
In 2024, the FolkFest Cultural Association will host the Somló FolkFest micro-festival for the fifth time on Somló Hill, in the garden of the Csatári Winery overlooking the basalt columns. The event will feature a concert by the Kossuth Prize-winning Vujicsics ensemble, celebrating its 50th anniversary, and a performance by the Batyu-Borbély Duo. A new addition to this year’s program is the Somló WineFest, where visitors can sample wines from three European countries alongside Somló wines. Following the opening of the gates at 6:00 PM and during the concerts, visitors can also sample wines from the Promitor Vinorum (Galanta, Slovakia), Popela Vinařství (Perná, Czech Republic), and Weinhof Fridericus (Drasenhofen, Austria) wineries, as well as a selection of wines from the town of Mikulov in the Czech Republic. - 7:00 PM Batyu-Borbély Duo - 8:00 PM Vujicsics 50 - anniversary concert The "Vujicsics 50" anniversary concert series is made possible with the support of the NKA. Admission to the fifth Somló FolkFest is free, but the organizer, the FolkFest Cultural Association, welcomes donations, which we will use to support our operations and achieve our public benefit goals. Everyone is warmly invited!
5th Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations Among the Visegrád Four
5th International Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations Between the Visegrad Four Countries Urban Characteristics in Sacred and Cultural Spaces Guest Speakers: Tomáš Bílek Mayor of Vrbice (CZ) Ágnes Horváth Director of the Štúrovo Cultural Center (SK) Franciszek Ręka Director of Fundacja Gaudete in Katowice (PL) Tamás Tóth Cultural Expert (HU) Moderated by: Krisztián Bakó --- Music by: Ákos Fekecs - Handpan --- Venue: Bük Cultural Center (11 Eötvös u., 9737 Bük, Hungary) photo@Tomáš Bílek, Vrbice ///////// 5th Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations Among the Visegrad Four Urban Characteristics in Sacred and Cultural Spaces Speakers: Tomáš Bílek Mayor of Vrbice (CZ) Ágnes Horváth Director of the Municipal Cultural Center in Párkány (SK) Franciszek Ręka Director of the Gaudete Foundation - Katowice (PL) Tamás Tóth cultural expert (HU) Moderator: Krisztián Bakó --- Music: Ákos Fekecs - Handpan --- Venue: Bük Cultural and Sports Center, Library 9737 Bük, Eötvös u. 11th photo@Tomáš Bílek, Vrbice
Let's Go to Bük! // Sára Tímár and Her Band - Petőfi's Poems Set to Folk Music
Sára Tímár and her band have created a new program to mark the 200th anniversary of Sándor Petőfi’s birth, featuring the poet’s verses that have become folk songs. The work of this poetic giant has survived in folk tradition, both in fragments and in its entirety, for over a century now. Individual lines or stanzas appear in countless folk songs, but entire poems have also lived on almost word for word in the people’s mouths. It is also remarkable that his poems were sung not only in genres that strive for textual fidelity, such as the ballad, but also in folk songs, lamentations, and even dance tunes, as if the author had come from among them. Petőfi’s popularity is evidenced by the fact that the lyrics of his poems were sung throughout the entire Carpathian Basin; thus, the concert will feature folk songs from the Zobor region of Upper Hungary or Gömör, as well as from the Mezőség region of Transylvania and the Küküllő Valley. The concert will be followed by a dance party featuring the following musicians: Márton Kovács – lead violin, Márton Fekete “Kispuma” – viola, András Lelkes – double bass The event is sponsored by the National Cultural Fund
Batyu-Borbély Duo @ Pasaréti Community Center
A concert by the Batyu-Borbély Duo at the Pasaréti Community Center. A fusion of jazz, folk music, folk dance, and contemporary dance in a performance-style show spiced with improvisation. Following numerous joint stage appearances, Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas a Harangozó Award winner, Meritorious and Distinguished Artist, folk dancer, and choreographer, and Mihály Borbély, a Knight’s Cross and Liszt Award winner who also received the Kossuth Prize as a member of the Vujicsics ensemble. The captivating blend of wind and percussion instruments, the sounds and visuals of dance, and the varied use of elements spanning a genre spectrum from folk music to jazz create a unique atmosphere. The performers’ energetic and evocative style, their virtuoso instrumental playing, and their spectacular movements result in a production that is sure to capture the audience’s interest. Admission is free, but registration is required! You can register on the Pasaréti Community Center website: pasaretikozossegihaz.hu/programok/kultura/batyu-borbely-duo Everyone is warmly welcome! The event is sponsored by the Budapest 2nd District Local Government.
Tabán Folk Music Festival
TABÁNI FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL “The Essence of Folk and World Music on BUDAPEST’s 150th Anniversary” 6:00 PM Új Gereben 7:00 PM Berka 8:00 PM Borbély-Batyu-Lőrinszky Trio In 2023, we celebrate Budapest’s 150th anniversary, commemorating the unification of the three districts: Buda, Pest, and Óbuda. On Budapest’s 150th birthday, we aim to present and celebrate the historical experience that the city’s most successful periods have always been those when its diverse communities were able to cooperate with one another. On this anniversary, we not only pay tribute to the memory of our predecessors who united the city, but we also revive the great folk and world music heritage of the past through the tradition of the Tabán Folk Music Festival, in which numerous outstanding ensembles, musicians, singers, and dancers played a defining role. Admission to our event is free, but registration is required. You can register at the link below: bit.ly/tabani-nepzene-2023 Sponsored by: Budapest 1st District, Budavár Local Government
Somló FolkFest 4th
The FolkFest Cultural Association and Csatári Winery will once again host the Somló FolkFest in 2023. The organizers invite everyone to join them on Saturday, August 12, starting at 6:00 p.m., on Somló Hill, in the charming courtyard of Jenő and Donát Csatári’s winery. This year’s micro-festival program once again features high-quality musical performances, and the event will traditionally conclude with a dance party. The program: 6:00 PM Varjos Band (SK) 7:30 PM Gordon-Gardon Duo 8:30 PM Dance party with the Berka ensemble Varjos Band (SK) The band from Párkány has set as its goal the presentation of the folk culture of the Carpathian Basin, based on 20th-century folk music collections and their own experiences. They primarily play folk music from the Hungarian community in Upper Hungary, but their performances also include melodies from present-day Hungary and Transylvania. The Varjos band is performing at the Somló FolkFest as part of the “Development of Slovak-Hungarian Cultural Ties” initiative. The performance is supported by the National Cooperation Fund and the Bethlen Gábor Fund. Gordon-Gardon Duo Attila Lőrinszky – double bass Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas – percussion, dance Double bassist Attila Lőrinszky and dancer Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas founded the Gordon-Gardon Duo in 2000. The ensemble’s goal is to reinterpret Gyimes folk traditions through a contemporary lens, with a modern sensibility, and in their own artistic language. In this ensemble, instruments that were originally accompaniments take on solo roles. Batyu’s dance skills are also integrated into the performance, with the rhythm of the dance accompanying the double bass, and these roles gradually switching places. Berka Ensemble The Berka Ensemble is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! Over the past decade and a half, the band members have devoted themselves to the highly diverse repertoire of Moldavian Csángó melodies and dances. They strive to express their love and respect for this region through a series of dance houses held every two weeks for the past 15 years. The result of their work is more than 700 dance houses for adults and children, as well as 3 full-length albums. In recent years, the band has held highly successful concerts and dance houses in 10 European countries. Since 2019, the band has been part of the House of Traditions’ international portfolio. In 2020, based on a public vote organized by the Fonó Budai Zeneház, the band received the “Best Dance House of the Past 25 Years” – Fonó Award.
Csík Band @ Szoboszló Folk Weekend
Few bands can say that they have been performing and working for 35 years with unbroken energy, paying no heed to the passage of time or changing trends, overcoming difficulties, and skillfully managing their successes. Well, this is the Csík Band. In their future performances, they will continue to bring our sophisticated, diverse musical world—so beloved by our audience—to life through their new songs, while also evoking those beautiful old arrangements that have left an indelible mark not only in their hearts and the souls of their audience, but also on the Hungarian musical landscape of recent decades.
Berka @ Szoboszló Folk Weekend
The Berka Ensemble is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! Over the past decade and a half, the band members have devoted themselves to the rich and varied repertoire of Moldavian Csángó melodies and dances. They strive to express their love and respect for this region through a series of dance houses held every two weeks for the past 15 years. The result of their work is more than 700 dance houses for adults and children, as well as 3 full-length albums. In recent years, the band has held highly successful concerts and dance houses in 10 European countries. Since 2019, the band has been part of the House of Traditions’ international portfolio. In 2020, based on a public vote organized by the Fonó Budai Zeneház, the band received the “Best Dance House of the Past 25 Years” – Fonó Award.
Sára Tímár and Her Band @ Szoboszló Folk Weekend
SÁRA TÍMÁR AND HER BAND – PETŐFI’S POEMS TURNED INTO FOLK SONGS The concert is presented with the support of Szerencsejáték Zrt. Sára Tímár and her band have created a new program to mark the 200th anniversary of Sándor Petőfi’s birth, featuring the poet’s verses that have become folk songs. The work of this literary giant has survived in folk tradition—in fragments or even in its entirety—for over a century now. Individual lines or stanzas appear in countless folk songs, and entire poems have lived on almost word for word in the people’s mouths. It is also remarkable that his poems were sung not only in genres that strive for textual fidelity, such as the ballad, but also in folk songs, lamentations, and even dance tunes, as if the author had come from among them. Petőfi’s popularity is evidenced by the fact that the lyrics of his poems were sung throughout the Carpathian Basin; thus, the concert will feature folk songs from the Zobor region of Upper Hungary or Gömör, as well as from the Mezőség region of Transylvania and the Küküllő Valley. The band members are: Sára Tímár (vocals), Dániel Szabó (cimbalom, vocals), Tamás Nyitrai (violin), Márton Fekete (viola), András Lelkes (double bass), and Lehel Hargitai-Halászi (flute, percussion). Featuring actor Vince Zrinyi-Gál. The musical editors of the program “Petőfi’s Poems Turned into Folk Songs” are Sára Tímár and Tamás Nyitrai. Sára Tímár, a Junior Prima Award-winning singer, is a familiar name in the Hungarian folk and world music scene, having been an active member of numerous musical ensembles for years. In addition to her own band, which plays authentic folk and world music, she has also been performing with the Sebő ensemble since 2009. She explores the creative possibilities of the folk singing voice as the founding member of the Dalinda ensemble. Sára Tímár’s band has a history spanning nearly 15 years; they have been playing together since 2009. They have all been involved in folk music since early childhood. In addition to their formal education, they honed their skills through dance houses, music camps, and field trips, learning from elderly masters. The band members were students in the folk music department at the Academy of Music at roughly the same time and earned degrees in performance and teaching, but an ethnographer, a publishing executive, an economist, and an instrument maker also hide behind the instruments. The ensemble members boast numerous competition wins, scholarships, 3 Junior Prima Awards, and 2 Young Master of Folk Art titles, while Dániel Szabó is a recipient of the Golden Cross of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. Beyond authentically performing folk music, they consider its transmission to be equally important; they pass on folk traditions by teaching in elementary arts schools as well as secondary and higher education institutions. In addition to folk music, they also venture into other musical genres: they participate in classical, blues, and world music projects, and are members of countless ensembles and bands.
Erdőfű @ Szoboszló Folk Weekend
Erdőfű was formed through the collaboration of dance house musicians active in Hungary. Its members are all dedicated advocates of the authentic performance of the folk music tradition of the Carpathian Basin, both at dance houses and concert venues. The initiative, which can also be viewed as a musical workshop, aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the diversity of string-based folk music in Hungarian-populated areas and among the ethnic groups living alongside us, while keeping in mind the specific characteristics of each region or village. The musical ensemble’s ars poetica requires in-depth professional knowledge and specific instrumental expertise regarding the musical traditions of each region; therefore, it is essential that the members of Erdőfű individually possess sufficient experience and knowledge in performing instrumental folk music. Their performances offer the audience the opportunity to experience the unique sound of Carpathian Basin folk music through various instrumental configurations and distinctive playing styles.
Dance Is Our Common Language 2nd
Polish-Hungarian Seminar on Dance as a Community-Building Activity This seminar for creators and performers focuses on “dance” as a form of artistic expression. Zolán Farkas “Batyu,” a dancer and choreographer, and his partner Ildikó Tóth “Fecske,” both multiple award-winning dance artists, will attempt to create a new choreography drawing from Hungarian and Polish dance traditions. The project’s partner performers are Ryszard Kocot and Joanna Kocot, leaders of the Polish dance ensemble Miedarzanie. On May 17, 2023, during the first session of the Budapest seminar, they taught each other basic dance steps, which they will further develop at this event, and will hold a joint dance performance with the children and adult dancers of their dance groups. By the end of the event, a joint Hungarian-Polish choreography will be created. #hellopolska @felczak_alapitvany Performers: Zoltán "Batyu" Farkas and Ildikó "Fecske" Tóth, as well as Ryszard Kocot and Joanna Kocot, leaders of the Miedarzanie Polish dance ensemble, and their dance group Venue: Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny (42-676 Miedary, ul. Główna 26)
Dance is our common language
Polish-Hungarian Seminar on Dance as a Community-Building Activity This seminar for creators and performers focuses on “dance” as a form of artistic expression. Zolán “Batyu” Farkas, a dancer and choreographer, and his partner Ildikó “Fecske” Tóth, both multiple award-winning dance artists, will attempt to create a new choreography drawing from Hungarian and Polish dance traditions. As part of the project, Ryszard Kocot and Joanna Kocot, the leaders of the Polish dance ensemble Miedarzanie, will present their own creative method, focusing on the elements that represent the shared dance language of the two nations in the choreography. #hellopolska @felczak_alapitvany Performers: Zoltán "Batyu" Farkas and Ildikó "Fecske" Tóth—Prima Award-winning dancers and representatives of the Magyar Kör Association—as well as Ryszard Kocot and Joanna Kocot, leaders of the Polish dance ensemble Miedarzanie Venue: Budapest Cultural Center 1119 Budapest, Etele út 55 Date and Time: May 17, 2023, 2:00 PM Sponsor: Waclaw Felczak Foundation
Batyu-Borbély Duo (H)
You’re in for a unique blend of jazz and folk music, as well as folk and contemporary dance, spiced up with a series of performance-style improvisations. After several joint stage performances, the audience will be treated to a performance by Zoltán Farkas "Batyu" (recipient of the Harangozó Award, distinguished and outstanding artist, folk dancer, and choreographer) and Mihály Borbély (recipient of the Knight’s Cross and the Liszt Prize, a musician awarded the Kossuth Prize as a member of the Vujicics ensemble) will present their duet. A captivating combination of wind and percussion instruments, the sounds and movements of dance, and the diverse use of elements from a range of genres—from folk to jazz—creates an extraordinary musical experience. The duo’s energetic and evocative performance, their virtuoso playing, and their spectacular movements create an unforgettable show. Admission is by donation; the experience is priceless....
Batyu-Borbély Quartet Concert
A fusion of jazz, folk music, folk dance, and contemporary dance in a performance-style, world music show spiced with improvisation. Following numerous joint stage performances, Zoltán Farkas “Batyu”; a Harangozó Prize winner, Meritorious and Distinguished Artist, folk dancer, and choreographer, and Mihály Borbély, a Knight’s Cross and Liszt Prize winner who, as a member of the Vujicsics ensemble, also received the Kossuth Prize. The captivating blend of wind and percussion instruments, dance sounds, and visuals, along with the varied use of elements spanning a genre spectrum from folk music to jazz, creates a unique atmosphere. The performers’ energetic and evocative style, their virtuoso instrumental playing, and their spectacular movements result in a production that is sure to capture the audience’s interest. Performers: Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas – percussion, tapan, dance Mihály Borbély – tarogato, clarinet, saxophone, flute, kaval Mihály Győrfi – guitar Balázs Horváth – double bass The concert is free! Sponsor: Budapest 1st District Budavár Local Government
FolkFest in the Margit Quarter – 50 Years of the Dance House Movement
FolkFest in the Margit Quarter – 50 Years of the Dance House Movement Program: - A koboz concert by László Szlama, winner of the Junior Príma Award - Concert by the Új Gereben ensemble - Dance house led by Zoltán "Batyu" Farkas Admission is free! Sponsored by: Budapest 2nd District Municipal Government
Burgenland's Folklore Heritage – Professional Forum and Concert
Promoting Austrian-Hungarian cultural ties. The FolkFest Cultural Association aims to provide an international perspective on the activities taking place in the public spaces of the town of Oberwart (formerly known in Hungarian as Felsőőr) in Austria. Among these activities, we intend to give special emphasis to the presentation and review of folklore heritage within the networking forum. We hope that through the professional forum and the concert, the exchange of “best practices” will open up new avenues for both Austrian and Hungarian cultural professionals. Our partners in the project are the Burgenland Hungarian Cultural Association (https://bukv.at/hu/kezdooldal/) and the Boglya Ensemble (https://boglya.hu/), which adapts and preserves local folk music traditions. Sponsor: Budapest 2nd District Municipality
Let's Go to Kajárpéc! - Folk Festival
Off to Kajárpéc! - Folk Festival September 24, 2022 (Saturday) 5:00 PM Wine tasting with Márton Pekker featuring wines from the Kapus Winery in Kajárpéc 6:00 PM Melinda Balogh – singing lessons, folk tales 6:30 PM Erdőfű concert 8:00 PM Dance party with the Somló Band Address: Kajárpéc Cultural Center, 1 Kossuth Street Admission is free! Supported by the National Cultural Fund #Erdőfű #SomlóBanda #Kajárpéc #FolkFest
Somló FolkFest 3rd – A folk music micro-festival on Somló Hill
In 2022, the FolkFest Cultural Association will host the Somló FolkFest folk music micro-festival on Somló Hill for the third time. From the afternoon of August 13 until late in the evening, the courtyard of the Csatári Winery, overlooking the basalt organ rocks, will welcome visitors with concerts and a dance party. The festival’s culinary partner is Fonó Café. Performers: 5:30 PM – Orsolya András and Attila Mihó 7:00 PM – Vujucsics 9:00 PM – Dance party / Music by the Somló Banda Admission is free, and everyone is warmly welcome!
4th Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations Among the Visegrád Four
4th International Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations between the Visegrad Four Countries Friday, August 12, 2022, 2:00 p.m. Venue: Csordás-Fodor Winery (Somlóvásárhely) https://goo.gl/maps/RdMszaA7B577QiYC9 Conference Speakers: Petra Eliášová (CZ), Gyula Juhász (SK), Anna Zöldy (PL), Zoltán Farkas (HU) Free entry Moderated by: Krisztián Bakó Music by: Batyu-Borbély Duo
Mihály Borbély and Friends – Fresh Water from the Old Well - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
Mihály Borbély – wind instruments Miklós Lukács – cimbalom András Dés – percussion József Barcza Horváth – double bass Zoltán ‘Batyu’ Farkas – dance, drums, gardon The concert program is a chamber version of Mihály Borbély’s larger-scale production, supplemented with symphonic orchestral instruments, characterized by genre diversity: a noble blend of folk and world music, jazz, and contemporary sounds, spiced with Zoltán Farkas “Batyu.” The program conjures up a temporal perspective whose origin is marked at times by millennia-old musical traditions and inspirations, and at other times by the intonation of ancient instruments, while at the far end stands the 21st-century for whom their thoughts are articulated.
Rozmaring Serbian Dance Ensemble - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
The Rozmaring Serbian Dance Ensemble (SKUD Ruzmarin) has been active since 2004. Its members are adults and children who are passionate about Balkan culture and who, alongside their work and family lives, have chosen to make learning Serbian dances and performing them for the general public their main hobby. They perform their programs with great success at events in Hungary and neighboring countries. Their repertoire now includes not only Serbian and Bunyevac dances from Hungary but also dances from the Sumadija, Leskovac, and Nis regions, as well as Vlach and Kosovar dances. In their work, they place great emphasis on preserving traditions and regularly hold dance parties where their resident band, the Ruzmarin FolkeStars, provides the music.
MárTones - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
Given the diversity of their careers, it is nearly impossible to provide an overview of the band members’ professional journeys. Among them are Márton, who recently received the Junior Prima Award; Marci, a multiple winner of first violin competitions who has rightfully earned the privilege of playing Béla Halmos’s violin; Mártonka, who was honored with the Bezerédj Award by the profession for her creative work; and Marcika, who has earned the title of “Golden Peacock” with her bands. Without the Márton family, therefore, the dance house movement would undoubtedly be poorer, as would the “few” concert bands in which they regularly perform and of which, alongside the MárTones, they are permanent members (Ági Herczku and the Band, Magyar Banda, Attila Mihó and Friends, Sára Tímár and her Band, Budapest Mezőség Band, Tárkány Művek, Tárkány Trio, Zsikó Band, Magos Band, Gajdos Band, Erdőfű Band, Erdőfű Folk Chamber Ensemble, Eszterlánc, Dobroda, Bajkó, and Naszály bands). Composed exclusively of people named Márton, MárTones aims to showcase the folk music traditions of the Carpathian Basin; in addition to Hungarian folk music, their concerts feature the folk music of neighboring peoples and the minorities living among us. Márton Szilágyi – violin Márton Bence Kovács – violin Márton Fekete – viola, double bass Márton Éri – viola, double bass Márton Gólya – cimbalom Márton Tímár – double bass
Kákics Band - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
The Kákics band was founded in 1997 by a group of young people from Székesfehérvár. The boys, who initially played just for their own enjoyment, were soon surrounded by a growing, enthusiastic audience; as a result, fans of Hungarian folk music now regard the band as a group that regularly performs concerts and hosts dance parties. In addition to domestic performances, the band has performed as a guest in Ecuador, Peru, Italy, India, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Norway, and Sweden.
Kerekes Band - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
The journey of the two-time Fonogram Award-winning Kerekes Band spans more than 20 years, from the lively dance houses of Moldavia and Gyimes to the major stages of the world music scene. Over the course of these two decades, they have developed a sound that is unmistakable on both the domestic and international world music scenes. The pulsating tempo of Moldavian music is complemented by riff-driven flute and koboz themes—otherwise known as Ethno Funk.
Mordái - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
MORDÁI is a folk rock band drawing inspiration from the repertoire of experimental Hungarian folk music groups of the 1960s and 1970s (such as the Muzsikás Band and the Sebő Ensemble). Their sound evokes the dark spirit of highwaymen. Band members: Soma Nóvé: Vocals Ferenc Vértesi: Guitar Viktor Kapusi: Saxophone Márton Csernovszky: Bass guitar Ágoston Szabó Sipos: Drums Dániel Varga: Alto saxophone
Somló Banda - Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend
“Traditional Hungarian village rock ’n’ roll, or timeless dance music featuring violin, viola, double bass, and vocals.” These young folk musicians from the Pápa area learned the secrets of music-making from an old-timer, György “Mesó” Mesics. They have been performing under this name since 2017, have played at numerous festivals, regularly host dance parties, and in May 2019 released their debut album, *Békeucca*, on the Gryllus label. Their program features a selection of the most beautiful melodies from the folk music tradition of the Carpathian Basin. Band members: György “Mesó” Mesics – violin, vocals; Emma Milinszki – vocals; Boglárka Pusztai – violin; Rafael Kiss – viola; Dániel Győry – double bass
3rd Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations Among the Visegrád Four
3rd Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations between the Visegrad Four Countries / 3rd International Conference on the Development of Cultural Relations between the Visegrad Four Countries Waste Prevention, Sustainability, and Cultural Economic Development / Waste Prevention, Sustainability, and Cultural Economic Development Thursday, November 18, 2021, 10:30 a.m. Venue: Montázs Art Café (14/b. Vahot St., Budapest) David Kašpar (CZ) Culture as an Effective Tool for Urban Development Kultura jako nástroj městského rozvoje Miklós Kukó (SK) The Village of Zétény in the Influence of the Latorca and Tice Rivers Obec Zatín v príťažlivosti Latorici a Tice Joanna Urbańska (PL) Effective Cultural Diplomacy: The Case of the Polish Institute in Budapest Skuteczna dyplomacja kulturalna na przykładzie działalności Instytutu Polskiego w Budapeszcie Zsolt Szatmári (HU) Csobánka: The Village of Five Nations Csobánka: The Village of Five Nations Moderator: Krisztián Bakó President of the FolkFest Cultural Association Admission is free --- David Kašpar (CZ) Culture as a Powerful Tool for Urban Development Kultura jako nástroj městského rozvoje Miklós Kukó (SK) The Village of Zétény in the Attraction Zone of the Latorca and Tice Rivers The Village of Zétény in the Attraction Zone of the Latorca and Tice Rivers Joanna Urbańska (PL) The Polish Institute in Budapest: An Example of Successful Cultural Diplomacy Effective cultural diplomacy as exemplified by the activities of the Polish Institute in Budapest Zsolt Szatmári (HU) Csobánka: The Village of Five Nations Csobánka: The Village of Five Nations Moderated by Krisztián Bakó Chairman of the FolkFest Cultural Association Free admission
Dance Party with Batyu // Let's Climb St. George's Hill!
As part of the St. Michael’s Day Fair in Kisapáti: “Up to St. George’s Hill!” featuring concerts and a dance party. Dance party led by Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas Venue: Kisapáti Cultural Center – 8284 Kisapáti, Kossuth St. 66 Sponsored by: National Cultural Fund
New Gereben // Up to St. George's Hill!
As part of the St. Michael’s Day Festival in Kisapáti: “Up to St. George’s Hill!” featuring concerts and a dance party. Új Gereben concert Venue: Kisapáti Cultural Center – 8284 Kisapáti, 66 Kossuth Street Sponsored by: National Cultural Fund
Helga "Helka" Debreczeni-Kis & Anikó Barna // Let's climb St. George's Hill!
As part of the St. Michael’s Day Fair in Kisapáti: “Up to St. George’s Hill!” featuring concerts and a dance party. Helga “Helka” Debreczeni-Kis (zither, vocals) and Anikó Barna (koboz, vocals) Venue: Kisapáti Cultural Center – 8284 Kisapáti, Kossuth St. 66 Sponsored by: National Cultural Fund
Dance House / Music by the Vizeli Trio @ Somló Folk Fest
Dance House / Music by the Vizeli Trio at the Csatári Winery on Somló Hill. August 21, 2021 Start: 9:00 PM Location: Somló Hill, Csatári Winery Coordinates: 47.136410, 17.369910 Admission is free. Further information: https://www.facebook.com/folkfestassociation
Bálint Vizeli and Friends@Somló Folk Fest
Concert by Bálint Vizeli and Friends at the Csatári Winery on Somló Hill. August 21, 2021 Start time: 5:30 PM Location: Somló Hill, Csatári Winery Coordinates: 47.136410, 17.369910 Admission is free. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/folkfestassociation
Children's Dance Workshop with Réka Annus @ Somló Folk Fest
Children’s Dance Workshop with Réka Annus at the Csatári Winery on Somló Hill. August 21, 2021 Start: 4:30 PM Location: Somló Hill, Csatári Winery Coordinates: 47.136410, 17.369910 Participation is free. Further information: https://www.facebook.com/folkfestassociation
2nd CONFERENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL RELATIONS AMONG THE VISEGRÁD FOUR
The FolkFest Cultural Association is organizing the 5th meeting of cultural professionals from various countries in Budapest for the second time. This year, the main theme of the presentations will be the impact of art on our community culture. The conference’s subtitle is: “THE STATE OF ART AND CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETIES” Admission is free. Program: Pavel Domonkos, PhDr. (SK) Cultural Life of Komárno Kultúrny život Komárna Petr Šesták (CZ) Ła Strada: Supporting Busking in a Small Town Ła Strada: podpora buskingu na malém městě Maksym Ostrowski (PL) The City and Its Society: From Idea to Realization Miasto i jego społeczeństwo: od idei do realizacji Dániel Máhr (HU) One Step Closer: A Pilot 5th Project Led by the Budapest Cultural Center Egy lépéssel közelebb... A Budapesti Művelődési Központ 5th projektje MODERATED BY KRISZTIÁN BAKÓ CHAIRMAN OF THE FOLKFEST CULTURAL ASSOCIATION MUSIC BY SÁNDOR KAPITÁNY BLUES MUSICIAN SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL CULTURAL FUND OF HUNGARY
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Naszály Concert
The Naszály band is a group that plays authentic Hungarian folk music. The band’s name was inspired by Mount Naszály, located near Vác, where most of the members completed their conservatory studies. They have been playing together since 2013: in addition to giving concerts, their activities include performing at dance houses and accompanying dance troupes. The band also serves as the regular accompaniment for the Kincső dance troupe in Budapest.
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Batyu-Borbély Duo Concert
A fusion of jazz, folk music, folk dance, and contemporary dance in a performance-style show spiced with improvisation. Following numerous joint stage appearances, Zoltán “Batyu” Farkas , a Harangozó Award winner, Meritorious and Outstanding Artist, folk dancer, and choreographer, and Mihály Borbély, a Knight’s Cross and Liszt Award winner who also received the Kossuth Prize as a member of the Vujicsics ensemble. The captivating blend of wind and percussion instruments, the sounds and visuals of dance, and the varied use of elements spanning a genre spectrum from folk music to jazz create a unique atmosphere
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Concert by Dalinda & the Band
The Dalinda vocal ensemble’s shared musical language is rooted in the traditions of authentic Hungarian folk singing. Its members began working together in the Folk Singing Department at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, participating in numerous authentic and world music productions. Their joint work over the past few years has refined their repertoire, which now features polyphonic arrangements and more modern sounds alongside monophonic authentic folk songs. The ensemble has been performing since 2015 and has since had the opportunity to perform in Hungary’s most renowned concert halls, as well as at numerous international venues. In 2020, they performed in the online program of WOMEX, considered the leading international festival of world music. This time, they are coming to Folkhétvége with a special production accompanied by instruments.
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Varjos (SK) Concert
The Párkány ensemble has set itself the goal of presenting the folk culture of the Carpathian Basin, drawing on 20th-century folk music collections as well as their own experiences. They primarily perform folk music from the Hungarian communities of Upper Hungary, but their repertoire also includes melodies from present-day Hungary and Transylvania. Members Gábor Szabó (Suvi) – violin Szilárd Madocsai – clarinet, flute Imre Madocsai – viola, dance Péter Mocsi – double bass
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Babra Concert
Babra, which revives the multifaceted musical traditions of the South Slavic peoples and the Balkans, was formed in Budapest—at the crossroads of East and West in Eastern Europe, an eternal melting pot of living traditional and innovative urban cultures. The five-member band is bound by a passion for Balkan culture and family ties to the music of the South Slavs settled along the Danube. Preserving its authenticity and spirit, they create new musical forms from traditional melodies, striving to develop a unique sound and style.
26th Hajdúszoboszló Folk Weekend // Helka Banda Concert
Helga Debreczeni-Kis, known as “Helka,” is a student at the Liszt Academy of Music and a finalist in the 2017 Fölszállott a páva competition. In addition to mastering authentic folk music, self-discovery, the search for her own musical voice, and testing her wings are key pillars of her musical journey. In her performance, she also explores the folk music of other nations, while striving to make Hungarian folk songs and folk music her own. The program concludes with one of her original songs. The koboz and double bass provide a solid foundation, creating space for the zither and vocals to fully shine.
Promoting Czech-Hungarian Cultural Relations
Development of Czech-Hungarian Cultural Relations ------------------------- The Budapest-based FolkFest Cultural Association aims to provide an international perspective on the functioning of community spaces in the town of Mikulov (formerly known in Hungarian as Miklósvára) in the Czech Republic. At the networking forum specifically planned for this visit, Hungarian and Czech participants will jointly review Mikulov’s existing cultural ties, the town’s collaborations with civil society organizations, and its other active networks. The association’s members are particularly interested in learning about the organizations and communities with which the cultural spaces in the Czech town are connected—in addition to carrying out their core activities—as well as with whom they collaborate and in which joint projects they participate. During the networking forum, a sister festival agreement will be signed in a ceremonial setting between the main organizers of the Somló Folk Festival and the Ła Strada Festival. ------------------------- The Budapest-based FolkFest Cultural Association provides an international perspective on the community culture of Mikulov in the Czech Republic. At a Cultural Relations Forum, organized specifically for the Hungarian delegation’s visit, participants will review Mikulov’s existing cultural relations, its working relationships with non-governmental organizations, and its network of active connections to culture in general. The members of the FolkFest Cultural Association are particularly interested in learning how local cultural organizations—in addition to carrying out their daily operational tasks—succeed in maintaining contact with partner institutions, reaching out to NGOs, building new partnerships, and participating in joint projects. At the Cultural Relations Forum, a Bilateral Festival Agreement is officially signed between the Somló Folk Festival in Hungary and the Ła Strada Festival in the Czech Republic.
Somló FolkFest
Somló Folk Fest August 21, 2020 Somló Hill, Csatári Winery 47°13'64.10" N, 17°36'99.10" E 4:00 PM Beer and wine tasting with Ferenc Sebő 5:00 PM Varsány Sztankovszky and Band 6:30 PM Dalinda 7:30 PM Sebő Ensemble Guest: Soma Nóvé (Middlemist Red, Mordái) 9:00 PM Dance House Klári Csernók and her band Endre Papp - viola András Bognár - double bass The event is supported by the National Cultural Fund. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!
Attila Mihó & Friends (HU)
La Strada Festival, Mikulov, July 4, 2020, 6:00 p.m., Lormovo Square/Závodný Gallery: Concert by Attila Mihó and Friends at the La Strada Festival in Mikulov, Czech Republic. Supported by: Sándor Csoóri Program La Strada Festival, Mikulov, July 4, 2020, 6:00 PM, Lormovo náměstí/Galerie Závodný: Attila Mihó & Friends concert in Mikulov, Czech Republic. Supported by: Sándor Csoóri Program About the band: "I don’t know myself how Attila Mihó and Friends came into existence. When I was twelve years old, I met my friend András Görög at a dance house for kids in Ráckeve. That was the first time he helped me play the violin, which became a regular thing over the years. In the fall of 2011, I began my studies at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, majoring in folk music. At the time, we had been running our own dance house in Budapest for four years, and to this day, we are regular guests at the Sebők folk dance club and the Fonó Music House. Over the past six years, the current lineup has gradually evolved, and we released our debut album, titled „Which way…,” in 2017." - Attila Mihó www.mihoattila.hu
Bálint Vizeli & Friends – Hungary
La Strada Festival, Mikulov, July 4, 2020, Lormovo náměstí/Galerie Závodný: Concert by Bálint Vizeli & Friends at the La Strada Festival in Mikulov, Czech Republic. Sponsored by: Béla Halmos Program https://halmosbelaprogram.hu/ La Strada Festival, Mikulov, July 4, 2020, Lormovo náměstí/Galerie Závodný: Bálint Vizeli & Friends concert in Mikulov, Czech Republic. Support: Béla Halmos Program https://halmosbelaprogram.hu/ Bálint Vizeli graduated as an informatics engineer from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 2018, but due to his family background, he is deeply involved in folk music, as evidenced by his victory in the National Folk Violin Competition in Kecskemét in 2017. He considers supporting Hungarian communities abroad to be great importance, so he performs at Hungarian dance houses in Munich and Nuremberg, among other cities, every year. He is a regular performer at the dance houses of folk music venues in Budapest, such as Fonó and the Hungarian Heritage House; furthermore, for the past two years, he has been running a folk club at a venue called Rácskert in Budapest once every two weeks.