Celebrating Hungarian Culture Day with Underground Performances
On January 22, 2025, commuters in Budapest are in for a special treat as the city celebrates Hungarian Culture Day with a series of pop-up performances in the metro stations. The Ferencváros Cultural Center, in collaboration with BKV (Budapest Transport Company) and BKK (Centre for Budapest Transport), is organizing an array of cultural events at select stations along the M3 and M4 metro lines.
Underground Cultural Extravaganza
From 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, passengers traveling through Kálvin tér, Nagyvárad tér, and Corvin negyed stations will encounter a diverse range of free mini-concerts, dance performances, and flash mobs. These events showcase various aspects of Hungarian culture, including classical and popular music, folk dance, magic acts, and poetry recitals.
Highlights of the Program
The lineup features an impressive array of performers:
- Bartók Dance Ensemble
- János Vázsolyi (saxophonist)
- Juci Lovas and Frász
- All In Circus Company
Other performances include choral groups, world music, alternative bands, and solo acts, representing the rich tapestry of Hungarian artistic expression.
Station-Specific Performances
Nagyvárad tér (M3 platform)
- 4:30 PM: Sárgaház band
- 5:30 PM: El Ambrus & The JammanStereo
- 6:30 PM: Endre Kertész
- 7:30 PM: Myrtus duo
Kálvin tér (M4 platform)
- 4:30 PM: El Ambrus & The JammanStereo
- 5:30 PM: Sárgaház band
- 6:30 PM: Myrtus duo
- 7:30 PM: Endre Kertész
Corvin negyed (M3 platform)
- 4:00 PM: János Vázsonyi
- 5:00 PM: Juci Lovas and Frász
- 6:00 PM: Amor Fati
- 7:00 PM: Ganjálló band
- 8:00 PM: Bartók Dance Ensemble
Mobile Performances
Adding to the excitement, some acts will be on the move:
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: All In Circus
- 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM: Énekrevalók (between Kálvin tér and Nagyvárad tér on M3)
- 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM: TÁP Theatre (between Kálvin tér and Gellért tér on M4)
Significance of Hungarian Culture Day
Hungarian Culture Day has been celebrated on January 22 since 1989, commemorating the day in 1823 when Ferenc Kölcsey completed the manuscript of “Himnusz,” the national anthem of Hungary. This underground celebration is part of a broader national observance that includes exhibitions, award ceremonies, theatrical performances, and concerts across Hungary and beyond its borders.
For commuters and culture enthusiasts alike, this unique celebration offers an opportunity to experience the vibrancy of Hungarian arts in an unexpected setting. Whether you’re heading home or simply curious, keep your eyes and ears open for these surprising and delightful cultural encounters in Budapest’s metro system on January 22.
Image source: FMK