Budapest Travel Blog

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

HUNGARY’S LARGEST CULTURAL FESTIVAL

2009 - The year of Haydn in Hungary

Budapest comes alive for the annual Spring Festival 20 March – 5 April 2009

Budapest Spring Festival

THE Hungarian National Tourist Office has designated 2009 as the ‘year of cultural tourism’ and will seek to highlight major cultural sights, festivals and events in its global marketing activities throughout the year.

One of Hungary’s largest cultural events of the year is the annual Budapest Spring Festival, this year taking place from 20 March until 5 April. This is an extravaganza of more than 200 events taking place at top venues throughout the city including the Hungarian State Opera House and the Palace of Arts, with performances catering for all cultural tastes.

Palace of Arts, Festival Theatre

The festival showcases the finest Hungarian performers, composers and artists, as well as many international acts and also includes a two day Fringe Festival (3-5 April), for the third year running, for up and coming talent.

From classical to rock concerts; contemporary dance to traditional ballet; from high brow operas to colorful street performances; fire jugglers to art exhibitions, the festival offers visitors the chance to sample a wide variety of world-class performances and exhibitions in one visit to the city.

Kodály Quartet

One of the highlights for visitors will be the chance to see a performance from the world-famous Nigel Kennedy who has been popular for over 25 years and is one of the greatest violinists in the world. He will perform with the Nigel Kennedy Quintet on 2 April, at the stunning Palace of Arts.

Béla Bartók National Concert Hall

Opera lovers will be able to see Puccini’s Turandot and Haydn’s The Soul of the Philosopher performed at the opulent Hungarian State Opera House, which is one of the cheapest places in Europe to see these world-renowned operas where tickets can often be purchased on the day of performance for under 6 Euro’s or in UK money under a fiver. Classical music fans will be able to take their pick from many orchestras including the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Those looking for a more alternative cultural scene will find contemporary bands, theatre groups and performance artists at the Fringe Festival, plus belly dancers, storytellers and fire jugglers.

cecta

Labels: Budapest, concerts, exhibitions, Festival, Hungary, opera house, Spring

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Friday, August 31, 2007

16th Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival

16th Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival
5th – 18th September 2007

The Wine Festival is one of Central Europe’s most prestigious and popular trade events, where every year tens of thousands of visitors experience wine tasting in cultured surroundings and get to know the wine makers and the arts and traditions associated with viniculture.

The organisers of the festival, the Magyar Hungarian Viniculture Public Benefit Company, have the aim of the presenting a wine and viniculture event, including cultural and gastronomic programmes, that – on its own - is worth visiting Budapest and Hungary for.

Wine exhibition and fair in the Buda Castle District – between the 5th and 9th of September

15 countries, 200 vineyards, 3000 types of wine await visitors.

The main event of the internationally renowned festival will be held for the eighth year in what is maybe Budapest’s most atmospheric setting, the Buda Castle District, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

The cream of Hungary’s wine producers will offer their most sumptuous wines for tasting at the Wine Festival. Alongside the home-grown nectars numerous foreign wines will be presented by noted wine traders. The range of wines will include winners of Hungarian and prestigious international prizes and the producers will be happy to answer any questions and provide professional advice; worth following for anyone who wishes to become a knowledgeable wine drinker.

Gastronomy is an integral part of the Wine Festival and visitors will be able to find, amongst others, barbecues, a fish terrace, stews cooked over an open fire, freshly baked savoury snacks and range of cheeses, including ewe and goat’s cheese.

Two stages will host a rich palette of cultural and musical programs throughout the five days of the festival. There will be performances by the Ghymes ensemble, the Benkó Dixieland Band, the Orosz Zoltán Quartet, Vivat Bacchus singing ensenble, the Bartók Béla male choir and the most celebrated Hungarian folk dance groups.

The VinAgora Square marquee will also be a feature of this year’s festival. Stepping inside, visitors will, with the help of professionals, be able become judges of wines. During the fifty minute program, guests will have the chance to assess six wines using professional techniques. The marks given to the wines tasted over five days will decide which wine wins the title of “Fesitval Wine”.

The popular Wine University will be held for the eighth year between 11th and 13th of September and is open for both experienced wine tasters and new students. During the three-day course well-known experts will hold high quality, interesting lectures incorporating wine tasting. Both friends of wine and professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge will be enriched by the useful information on offer.

The Harvest Procession, held on the 8th of September in the Buda Castle District, will present a colourful, musical maelstrom in honour of the grape and wine producers, entertaining thousands of people as in previous years. The procession will be made up of folk dance groups from the wine producing regions, resplendent in unique folk costumes, members of wine associations and the representatives of the Order of the Knights of the Truffle. The participants of the procession, numbering between 400 and 500, will delight spectators with music and dance as well as giving the opportunity for grape and wine tasting.

The Skanzen Open Air Museum will hold a two-day Harvest Festival, a traditional accompaniment to the Wine Festival. The weekend will include enjoyable crafts, folk dancing, court comedians and fun games.

The highlight of the Wine Festival’s cultural events is the Gala Concert, which this year will be held at a new venue, the Budapest Palace of Arts, on the 18th of September. The planned program includes Orff’s Carmina Burana, with performances by Erika Miklósa, amongst others.

Wine Festival

Labels: Budapest, Champagne, Festival, International, wine

Posted by Budapest Travel Blog at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Friday, August 17, 2007

XXI. FESTIVAL OF FOLK ARTS

In focus: LEATHER CRAFT

Buda Royal Castle

17-20. August, 2007

Every day 10 a.m-11 p.m

The FESTIVAL OF FOLK ARTS the traditional meeting of folk artists will be held for the twenty first time this year around the Buda Royal Palace in the Castle. For four days the best representatives of folk crafts will show the secrets of their crafts while working in their workshops with the participation of the audience. This year the main subject is leather craft. Craftsmen, who can be seen working will include woodcarvers, mat makers, calico makers, felt makers, embroiderers, wheelwrights, rope makers, blacksmiths, potters, musical instrument makers, harness makers, weavers, lace makers, egg painters and honey cake makers. There will also be opportunity for the children to try the fundamentals of folk craft traditions. Beside the workshop presentations the craftsmen will sell their goods at a traditional fair. On the stages singers, dancers, and folk groups both from Hungary and abroad will perform. Shows, puppet theatre, children programmes and evening dance house will entertain the public. On August 20th, for the celebration of Saint Stephen’s Day, there will be a march of craftsmen and in front of the Matthias Church the Blessing of New Bread will take place.

for programs visit http://www.nesz.hu/content/view/256/94/

Labels: Buda Royal Castle, Festival, FOLK ARTS, LEATHER CRAFT

Posted by Budapest Travel Blog at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Friday, August 10, 2007

Sziget Festival, 2007- Budapest - Video

Labels: 2007, Budapest, Festival, Sziget, Video

Posted by Budapest Travel Blog at 9:30 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

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