XX. „St Stephen’s Days” Dance and Music Festival
Destination: | Hungary – Kecskemét |
Date: | 22 – 25 August 2025 |
Price: | from 135 euro |
20th August is St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary and it is a public holiday. We celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state 1000 years ago. The new bread is blessed on this day too. Around these days the Hungarians celebrate all around the country with music, dance. Traditional programs, traditional cuisine, fireworks.
This is the 20th festival when folk groups, folk dance groups arriving at our cities from all over the world. During the meeting, the groups will able to communicate through their performances, take part in various games and activities that will reinforce the message of friendship and cooperation.
Kecskemét:
Comprising all the beauties and values of the Great Plain, Kecskemét is situated in the middle of Hungary, 85km far from Budapest. It is the 7th largest town of Hungary with the area of 321 km2 and the population over 112,000. This town is well-known for its Apricot Pálinka, the beautiful buildings of Art Nouveau style ornamented with coloured ceramics, and also the “Kodály-method” named after Zoltán Kodály the world-famous composer who was born in Kecskemét. The seat of Bács-Kiskun county is usually called “Hírös Town” as Sándor Petőfi, the great Hungarian poet would call it. The name Kecskemét originates from the word “kecske” – meaning goat, and “mét” – meaning district.
Thanks to its favourable geographical position Kecskemét has always been the meeting point of different religions, cultures and traders of all nationalities. The city was founded at the cross-roads of ancient trading routes. In 1368 it was identified as a market-town in a charter of King Anjou Louis the Great, so Kecskemét celebrates its 650th anniversary this year with a series of programs all through the year. The development of gardening, wine-growing viniculture and fruit-growing all have led to the development of the city. The most famous product of the town is Apricot Pálinka, which is made of special tasty apricots. The cultivation of the characteristic fruit of the region started more than 100 years ago.
Kecskemét is the native town of József Katona, the author of the Hungarian national drama, and Zoltán Kodály, the world-famous composer, expert of music pedagogy, musicologist, and researcher of folk music. He founded the first primary music school of the country in Kecskemét, which bears the name of the master and has become world-famous together with the Zoltán Kodály Institute of Music Pedagogy.
Due to its advantageous geographical location Kecskemét has developed into the economic, administrative, educational, and cultural centre of the region. It hosts several institutions of fine art, unique collections, and renowned festivals.
Program
22 August | Check-in Meeting with the the organizers during the day Reviewing the next day’s programs Dinner, free program |
23 August | Breakfast Free program (zoo or aqua park in Kecskemét) 18.00: Performance on stage: Kecskemét, Szabadság square, center of the St Stephen’s week in Kecskemét Closing ceremony, receiving the gift and diplomas from the city and the organizers Dinner |
24 August | Breakfast Free program Recommended optional program (zoo or aqua park in Kecskemét) |
25 August | After breakfast departure. |
Further Information
• Folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, music bands from all over the world
• The number of the participants are not limited
• No age limits
from 135 euro per person
Additional days can be booked on demand (the price depends on the type of accommodation)
Accommodation:
Student Hostel
•135 euro per person, 2 + 2 twin rooms, private bathroom
Supplement for a single room is 15 euro per person per day
3*** Hotel
Hotel Három Gúnár
• 192 euro per person double standard rooms, supplement for s single room is 25 euro per person per day
• 199 euro per person triple superior rooms, for a double room is 10 euro per person per day supplement for a single room is 35 euro per person per day
Aqua Hotel
• 219 euro per person, double rooms, free entry to the local Aquapark
4**** Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Kecskemét Hotel
Wellness access during opening hours, including the swimming pool, jacuzzi, Finnish, aroma, and infrared saunas, steam room, and relaxation area.
24-hour access to the fitness room.
• 205 euro per person in double rooms
Supplement for a single room is 35 euro per person per day
Aranyhomok Business City Wellness Hotel
Free use of the swimming pool, jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, infrasauna, aromatherapy steam bath, fitness room (bathrobes are provided in your room).
• 205 euro per person in triple superior rooms
Supplement for a double room is 10 euro per person per day
Supplement for a single room is 50 euro per person per day
• 209 Euro double standard rooms, supplement for a single room is 40 euro per person per day
• Meals: half board for the whole festival (2 meals per day)
• Diplomas and gifts from the city
• Official invitation
• Transport
• Insurance
• Tourist tax: 2 euro per person per day, payment on the spot
Application deadline: 25 February 2025
Apply now!
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