Budapest’s Óbudai World Music Week Returns for Its Seventh Year
Budapest’s summer cultural calendar reaches new heights as the beloved Óbudai World Music Week returns to Kobuci Kert for its seventh consecutive year. From June 23-29, this extraordinary festival transforms one of the city’s most atmospheric venues into a global musical crossroads where traditional sounds meet contemporary artistry in the most captivating ways.
Essential Festival Information
When: June 23-29, 2025
Where: Kobuci Kert, Budapest (Óbuda district)
Duration: Seven days of world music performances
Opening: Monday, June 23 at 8:00 PM with outdoor cinema
Daily concerts: Tuesday through Sunday at 7:00 PM
Special highlights: 30th anniversary celebration of Kerekes Band, 70th birthday tribute to Mihály Dresch, international acts from Finland, Benin, and Georgia
Venue atmosphere: Intimate outdoor garden setting perfect for cultural immersion
A Week-Long Journey Across Musical Continents
The festival opens with a deeply moving experience on Monday, June 23, featuring an outdoor cinema screening at 8:00 PM. The documentary “Szívben még megvan” (Still in the Heart) pays tribute to János Zerkula, a legendary blind Romani violinist from the Gyimes valley who represented one of the last authentic voices of classical folk music. This remarkable musician played a five-stringed violin with a resonant string, accompanied by his wife Regina Fikó on the percussion gardon, creating an archaic sound that transported listeners to another era.
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The musical performances begin in earnest on Tuesday, June 24, with the Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble taking the stage at 7:00 PM. This fascinating collaboration between Finnish and Beninese musicians might seem unlikely on paper, but their fusion creates irresistibly danceable music that has captivated audiences at major festivals worldwide, from the Montreal Jazz Festival to Sziget and WOMEX.
Celebrating Musical Milestones and Traditions
Wednesday brings a special celebration as the Kerekes Band marks its 30th anniversary at Kobuci Kert. This experimental quintet has spent three decades blending distant musical styles, building upon Hungarian folk foundations while incorporating psychedelic elements through their distinctive flute work. Their journey has taken them to every major domestic festival and concert venue, with recent performances in Berlin and Rodosto adding international flavor to their homecoming celebration.
Thursday evening showcases the beloved Kobuci dance house tradition, now in its 16th year. This biweekly series has welcomed thousands of dancers under the open sky, moving to Moldovan and string music. The evening features Szalonna and His Band alongside Fanfara Complexa, ensuring that both seasoned dancers and curious newcomers can experience the joy of traditional Carpathian Basin music.
International Stars and Legendary Masters
Friday’s lineup presents Besh o droM, a boundary-crossing ensemble that has entertained Hungarian audiences at world-class levels for over 25 years. Their innovative blend of Hungarian folk music with Balkan influences continues to push creative boundaries while maintaining deep respect for traditional roots.
Saturday evening introduces international sensation Trio Mandili, three charming young women from a remote Georgian village whose story reads like a modern fairy tale. Their journey from casual village singing to global stardom began when they recorded themselves performing “Apareka” on a smartphone and uploaded it to the internet. Within two weeks, the video garnered millions of views, transforming these friends into international touring artists who now perform worldwide to devoted audiences.
A Grand Finale with Living Legends
The festival concludes on Sunday with a tribute to one of Hungary’s most significant musical figures. Mihály Dresch, celebrating his 70th birthday, performs with his String Quartet, bringing his unique fuhun instrument to the Kobuci stage. This Kossuth Prize-winning artist represents an unmistakable pillar of Hungarian jazz history, whose contributions have shaped the genre’s development both domestically and internationally.
The closing evening also features a collaborative performance by Ági Szalóki, Bori Magyar, and Szilvia Bognár, united by their shared passion for Hungarian, Bulgarian, Greek, Spanish, Romani, Sephardic Jewish, and Portuguese melodies. Their collective voice celebrates the universal language of music that transcends cultural boundaries.
More Than Entertainment: A Cultural Bridge
For international visitors to Budapest, the Óbudai World Music Week offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant cultural ecosystem beyond its famous thermal baths and historic architecture. This festival represents Budapest’s commitment to preserving traditional arts while embracing global musical dialogue, creating connections between local heritage and international artistic expression.
The intimate setting of Kobuci Kert enhances every performance, creating an atmosphere where audiences don’t just listen to music but become part of a living cultural experience. Whether you’re drawn to the haunting melodies of Georgian folk songs, the infectious rhythms of African-European fusion, or the sophisticated improvisations of contemporary jazz, this week-long celebration offers something to captivate every musical sensibility.
The festival’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement makes it particularly welcoming for tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences in Budapest. Each evening begins at 7:00 PM (except the opening cinema screening at 8:00 PM), providing perfect timing for visitors to explore the city during the day and immerse themselves in world-class musical performances as evening approaches.