Festivals in Hungary at the end of the summer

20TH OF AUGUST - CELEBRATION OF CRAFTS (MESTERSEGEK UNNEPE), AIR SHOW, FIREWORKS

This large-scale festival is put on for the public every year on 20th August. There is an exhibition of Hungarian crafts, a water and an air parade, and a firework display. This day is also a national holiday in honour of Saint Stephen (King István I.), founder of the state of Hungary, as well as the festival of the new bread.

In Budapest the colourful events start the previous night, on the 19th, with the Concert of Joy (Örömkoncert). The large-scale concert is always held in a spectacular and busy spot of the capital.

Among the events of the 20th August festival the Celebration of Crafts in the Buda Castle (Budai vár) stands out particularly. The main day of this five day gathering is always the 20th August itself. Every year around 800 traditional craftsmen and women, including woodcarvers, bulrush weavers, blacksmiths, potters, musical instrument makers, weavers, lace makers, basket weavers, and 'mézeskalács' (honey-cake) bakers present themselves to the public in the most spectacular gathering of Hungarian folk art. The pavilions at the Castle offer more than just the finished products for sale; demonstrations are held and visitors are given the opportunity to try doing some of the crafts.

SZEGED OPEN-AIR FESTIVAL (SZEGEDI SZABADTERI JATEKOK)

The Szeged Open-Air Festival is Hungary's largest 'open-air theatre' event. This festival with a tradition stretching back over 75 years is held annually in July and August. The programmes primarily comprise of music and dance performances.

The festival is the most visited summer cultural event in the region. The unique nature of the theatre performances is enhanced by world premieres and the internationally ranked performances staged within the festival - and, last but not least, by the spectacular stage with the Szeged Cathedral as the backdrop and unique stage 'scene'. Several tens of thousands of guests come to enjoy the events on Dome Square and the Újszeged Open-Air Stage each year, many from abroad.

Over the last 75 years, the following pieces have attracted the largest audiences: the opera Aida, the operetta Gypsy Queen (Csárdáskirálynő), the musical Rudolf - an international co-production - and the Hungarian national opera Ban Bán staged with a novel conception and with world famous artists.

The open-air free concerts at night and the exhibition on the history of thefestival are among the enticing and fascinating additional events.

SAVARIA HISTORIC CARNIVAL, SZOMBATHELY

Staged on the last weekend in August, the events of Savaria Historic Carnival pay tribute to Szombathely's historic past. Around a hundred thousand participate in the events which include historical games and a procession of the residents dressed in period costumes. The festivities truly bring bygone days to life from Roman times to the Baroque period.

Held in the historic city centre with its ancient and medieval feel, this event in Szombathely (called Savaria in Roman times) is unique in Central Eastern Europe. Each year vendors offer new merchandise in the medieval-style fair in the old market place (Piactér), evoking the long forgotten customs and traditions of the fairs and markets of old. After dark, a fire is lit on the main square (Fő tér) and some 600 costumed participants march through the ancient streets by torchlight, reliving the history of Szombathely. The Franciscan Garden (Ferences-kert) is home to open-air theatrical performances, next to the camps of the Romans and the knights. Children will be thrilled by the Adventure Castle (Kalandvár) and its Haunted Alley while their parents applaud the musicians and artists at the Main Square or in one of the atmospheric courtyards.

BALATONBOGLAR HARVEST FESTIVAL (SZURETI FESZTIVAL)

Balatonboglár is the most important settlement on the southern shore of Lake Balaton when it comes to wine, as is indicated by the fact that it received the title of International City of Grape and Wine. The festival organised around 20th August is a festive occasion not only for wine lovers but also for holidaymakers at the lake.

Prizes for the competition for the best Balaton wines are awarded at the Balatonboglár Wine Festival. The winner of the title 'Master of BalatonWines' (Balatoni Borok Mestere) goes to the winemaker whose wine receives the most points.

VESZPREM SUMMER FESTIVAL (VESZPREMI NYARI FESZTIVAL), VESZPREM

This three-week summer festival is a rich and varied series of events with an abundance of daily programmes of music, literature, dance, theatre, film and fine arts held annually at the beginning of August.

Organised since 2001, open-air performances are held at the venue of the castle's Baroque building complex. Within the framework of the festivities, the Musical Courtyard (Zenélő Udvar) is devoted to the genres of chamber music, but the festival also presents classical concerts, literary dinners and church organ concerts.

SZENTENDRE SUMMER FESTIVAL AND THEATRE (SZENTENDREI NYAR FESZTIVAL ES TEATRUM)

With a history stretching back several decades, the Szentendre Summer Festival is a series of general art events.

Streets, squares, churches, gardens and courtyards all provide venues for theatre performances, concerts, films, exhibitions, traditional and children's events in this atmospheric little town. The series of events take place between the end of June and the end of August.

One of the summer festival's habitual series of programmes is the Szentendre Open-Air Theatre (Szentendrei Teátrum). One of the oldest summer theatres in Hungary, performances take place at three venues. Mainly classical plays are presented at the courtyard of the Baroque Town Hall (városház). An industrial heritage building, the Art Mill (MűvészetMalom) hosts contemporary works, and the Danube Shore Arts Centre (Dunaparti Művelődési Ház) stages comedies. The Theatre stages two or three new productions of its own every year as well as performances of musicals, drama and dance. Plays for children are held every Sunday morning.

ZEMPLEN FESTIVAL, SAROSPATAK

This remarkable festival features classical and contemporary music by first class Hungarian and international musicians and ensembles in the second half of each August. Find out why this two-week festival became one of Hungary's finest cultural events.

The essence of Zemplén Festival is an exceptional blend of classical and contemporary music executed by choice musicians in historic sites hidden away in the Zemplén Hills, one of Central Europe's most beautiful and unscathed natural landscapes. Exemplary for the innovative approach are the 'hiking concerts' and thematic days including Slavic, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Mediterranean, Latin and African days.

Genres include Renaissance and Baroque, opera, operette and dance, symphonic and chamber music, percussion and experimental ensembles. Musical banquets, and jazz play an increasing role at the festival.

Participants of the 'hiking concerts' become acquainted with two or three settlements of the Zemplén. At each station of their itinerary an outstanding musical event awaits them, also gastronomic highlights such as a Baroque or Hunters' banquet, wine tastings, or coffee and afternoon tea.