BUDAPEST JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL – Tradition. Presence. Celebration
28TH JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL
August 30 – September 10, 2026
(BUDAPEST-HUNGARY)
Hosted in Budapest’s most beautiful synagogues and community spaces
Tradition. Presence. Celebration.
World-renowned performers, legendary artists, festival premieres, prominent Hungarian creators, exciting international guests, and outstanding Israeli musicians will come together for this year’s 28th Jewish Cultural Festival. Unforgettable evenings, unique musical, literary, film, and theatrical events—as well as productions created exclusively for this occasion—await audiences in Budapest’s stunning synagogues and the Jewish community’s most iconic venues.
For nearly three decades, the Jewish Community of Budapest has brought the most vibrant and inspiring aspects of Jewish culture to the public, showcasing the perfect convergence of tradition, contemporary art, and community celebration.
The festival celebrates both heritage and the present day: shared experiences, music, and stories—a continuity where the past remains with us, resonates in the present, and lives on through us. Join us for two weeks defined by tradition, presence, and celebration.
Be a part of this special experience!
HIGHLIGHTS
DOHÁNY STREET SYNAGOGUE
Sunday, August 30, 8:00 p.m.
Gipsy Kings by Diego Baliardo in Concert
One of the greatest legends in world music, the Grammy-winning Gipsy Kings by Diego Baliardo, brings the passion of flamenco, the sweeping energy of Catalan rumba, and the freedom of Mediterranean joie de vivre to this year’s Jewish Cultural Festival. They will perform their world-famous songs in a captivating mix of Spanish, French, Italian, and Romani.
Who hasn’t heard global hits like “Bamboléo,” “Volare” (Nel blu, dipinto di blu), “Djobi, Djoba,” and “Un Amor”? These legendary tracks will fill the synagogue tonight as the world-famous band takes the stage under the direction of Diego Baliardo, a founding member of the original group.
Drawing inspiration from Spanish and French Romani culture, the Gipsy Kings’ music is a unique blend of flamenco, rumba, pop, and world music. Their concerts, driven by elemental power and virtuosity, are musical celebrations of love, freedom, and the joy of life. The band’s performance in the unparalleled setting of the Dohány Street Synagogue promises to be a passionate celebration of these.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 6,900 / 9,900 / 12,900 / 16,900 / 19,900 / 22,900
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Monday, August 31, 8:00 p.m.
The Budapest-Bratislava “Klezmer Summit”
Concert by the Budapest Klezmer Band and the Preßburger Klezmer Band. Special Guest: Piroska Molnár
It has long been a tradition for the Budapest Klezmer Band to perform at the Jewish Cultural Festival, but this year’s concert promises to be truly exceptional as the Preßburger Klezmer Band from Bratislava joins the Hungarian ensemble on stage.
Celebrated throughout Europe with a history spanning more than thirty years, the Preßburger Klezmer Band is Slovakia’s premier klezmer group. Their musical style serves as a true Central European melting pot, enriching traditional Jewish melodies with jazz improvisations, reggae vibes, Balkan rhythms, and Eastern musical influences.
The performance will be made even more unforgettable by an appearance from Piroska Molnár, an esteemed actress honored as an „Actress of the Nation” and a recipient of the prestigious Kossuth and Jászai Mari awards. She is one of the iconic stars of the highly successful klezmer musical The Bride’s Dance, composed by Ferenc “Fegya” Jávori, the founding leader of the Budapest Klezmer Band. This musical world is particularly close to Piroska Molnár’s heart, and the audience will experience it firsthand during this „Klezmer Summit” through selected excerpts from the show.
Tonight, traditional klezmer melodies will infuse with Balkan passion, the energy of Gypsy music, Slavic folk motifs, and modern musical elements to create a single, boundary-transcending experience. Driven by the joyful collaboration of these two incredible bands, the Dohány Street Synagogue will come alive with the very faith and passion that define Yiddish and Jewish music.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 4,900 / 7,900 / 9,900 / 11,900 / 12,900 / 14,900
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Tuesday, September 1, 8:00 p.m.
Avishai Cohen Trio (Israel) in Concert
Avishai Cohen, the world-renowned Israeli double bassist, singer, and contemporary jazz composer, returns to Hungary alongside his ensemble as a featured guest of the Jewish Cultural Festival. Born on the Israeli kibbutz of Kabri to parents with Polish, Greek, and Spanish roots, the artist’s diverse cultural heritage profoundly shapes his musical world.
He seamlessly blends the freedom and improvisational power of jazz with Middle Eastern, Jewish, Arab, and Andalusian traditions. His compositions are celebrated for their rich melodies, extraordinary rhythmic complexity, and deep emotional resonance. Throughout his illustrious career, he has collaborated with legends such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Bobby McFerrin.
Alongside his trio, he is a regular guest at the world’s leading concert halls and jazz festivals. Their cult-classic album Gently Disturbed opened up entirely new directions in contemporary jazz and played a major role in bringing Middle Eastern musical elements into the mainstream genre.
The current lineup of the Avishai Cohen Trio features Avishai Cohen (double bass, vocals), Itay Simhovich (piano), and Eviatar Slivnik (drums). Cohen, who has discovered and launched the careers of numerous young international jazz talents, brings two exceptional musicians with him to Budapest.
At the piano is twenty-year-old Itay Simhovich, an exceptionally gifted young musician whom Cohen recently discovered. Simhovich first took the stage with Cohen in Marciac, and he is already well on his way to becoming one of the most promising rising stars on the international jazz scene.
On drums is Eviatar Slivnik, an Israeli jazz drummer and composer currently living and working in New York. He began playing drums at age eight, continuing his musical studies at the Arison School of Arts and the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts. Together, Simhovich and Slivnik represent an exciting new generation of Israeli jazz, blending fresh, sensitive, and virtuoso play seamlessly into Cohen’s unique style.
Because tickets for their European concerts typically sell out months in advance, high demand is expected for their Budapest performance as well.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,900 / 8,800 / 11,900 / 14,900 / 17,900 / 20,900
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Wednesday, September 2, 8:00 p.m.
Netanel Hershtik • Barnabás Kelemen • Daniel Grossmann
L’dor V’dor – From Generation to Generation
The Dohány Street Synagogue will host a rare and brilliant artistic collaboration during this year’s festival. World-renowned cantor Netanel Hershtik, Kossuth Prize-winning violinist Barnabás Kelemen, and conductor Daniel Grossmann will take the stage for a single evening, accompanied by the MÁV Symphony Orchestra.
This special concert brings together centuries-old cantorial traditions, the universal beauty of classical music, and a generational cultural heritage for what promises to be an unforgettable performance. The famous Hebrew expression l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation) represents the beautiful responsibility each generation holds to pass on Jewish and universal values.
Netanel Hershtik is one of the most prominent Jewish cantors of our time and a member of the fourteenth generation of a cantorial dynasty dating back hundreds of years. His performances showcase a rare blend of profound spiritual depth, virtuoso vocal technique, and personal integrity. He is a global star of cantorial art who also shares Hungarian Jewish roots.
Performing alongside him is Barnabás Kelemen, one of the brightest stars of the Hungarian music scene and a regular guest at the world’s most prestigious concert halls. Characterized by extraordinary artistic sensitivity, his violin playing creates a perfect harmony between technical virtuosity and emotional depth.
The concert will be conducted by Daniel Grossmann, who has dedicated his career to preserving and rediscovering Jewish cultural heritage. Through the power of art, his work builds bridges between cultures, generations, and communities, proving that music is one of the deepest forms of human dialogue.
The evening will feature the most beautiful works of Jewish liturgical music alongside classical and iconic opera excerpts. In the spirit of l’dor v’dor, Max Bruch’s poignantly beautiful Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor will also be performed. At this star-studded event, centuries-old tradition and artistic excellence reinforce one another, evoking timeless values passed down through the ages.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
TICKET PRICES: HUF 6,900 / 9,900 / 12,900 / 16,900 / 19,900 / 22,900
RUMBACH STREET SYNAGOGUE
Sunday, August 30, 7:00 p.m.
Kurtág 100, Reich 90, Satie 160
An anniversary tribute to the masters of minimalist music
György Kurtág, Steve Reich, and Erik Satie: three masters who achieve the greatest expression with the fewest notes, and without whom today’s classical music would be unimaginable. Tonight, their works come together in a performance by Artisjus Award-winning musician Márton Szives and his fellow artists.
Percussionist Márton Szives performs at the festival for the fourth time, joined this year by Magor Bucz (piano), Gergő Mucsi (percussion), and Bence János Samodai (trumpet). The performance will also feature dancer Flóra Blanka Csasznyi performing against a striking visual backdrop designed by Péter Krompáczki.
As classical music aficionados know, the eccentric Erik Satie never allowed anyone into his apartment, where more than a hundred umbrellas, dozens of unopened letters, and half-finished scores littered the floor. However, to mark the 160th anniversary of his birth, we invited György Kurtág (celebrating his 100th) and Steve Reich (celebrating his 90th) to join him, bringing the three masters together at one table.
What would they talk about? Let’s hear from them:
„I realized I didn’t want to be a modern composer!” says György Kurtág. „For me, music ends in 1750 and then continues from 1900 onward,” adds Steve Reich. „Everyone will tell you that I’m not even a musician. And they’re right!” laughs Erik Satie, our host.
Featuring: Magor Bucz (piano), Blanka Flóra Csasznyi (dance), Péter Krompáczki (visual set design), Gergő Mucsi (percussion), Bence János Samodai (trumpet), and Márton Szives (percussion).
This production was created exclusively at the request of the Jewish Cultural Festival.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,200 / 6,200 / 6,900
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Monday, August 31, 7:00 p.m.
Hillel Acoustic: From Psalms to Pop Music
Hillel, a young virtuoso from Jerusalem, occupies a special place among the new generation of Israeli musicians. As a singer, songwriter, pianist, and producer, he has created a unique musical world that seamlessly blends contemporary pop, soul, and R&B with ancient Jewish traditions.
Drawing inspiration from biblical Psalms, the Hasidic repertoire, and modern Israeli culture, his performances are made unforgettable by his sensitive piano playing, captivating voice, and warm, approachable personality. Following the success of his album Lihiyot Be’Simcha and numerous tours across Israel and Europe, Hillel brings an intimate, chamber-style production to Budapest, centered on a deep dialogue between voice and piano.
For Hillel, the child of Holocaust survivors, this Budapest performance carries extraordinary emotional weight. He shares this message with the festival audience: „To take the stage in a synagogue, relying solely on a concert grand piano and my own voice, is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to share this unforgettable evening with the Budapest audience.”
Join us as we discover Hillel’s unique musical world together!
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,200 / 6,200 / 6,900
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Thursday, September 3, 7:00 p.m.
Anima Sound System: The Most Intimate Concert
Zsolt Prieger and his collaborators conceived this unique performance specifically for the Rumbach Synagogue, where an acoustic sound—beautifully enhanced by a string quartet—blends seamlessly with the sacred atmosphere.
We promise you’ve never seen Anima Sound System like this before—don’t miss your chance to be a part of this truly unique event. In addition to a string quartet accompanying the band, the evening will feature spiritually themed songs from the trilogy Jerusalem My Love, alongside classic Anima favorites.
These songs evoke Hanna Szenes, the cultural treasures of Aramaic and Jewish traditions, and the Psalms of King David. Tonight, Rumbach Square will fill with a special “Anima universe” bound to enchant even longtime fans.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,200 / 6,200 / 6,900
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Monday, September 7, 7:00 p.m.
Eszters: Modern Esthers in the Footsteps of the Biblical Esther
This multidisciplinary performance by Eszter Bíró, Eszter Csákányi, and Eszter Horgas features the ClassJazz Band. Created specifically for the festival, the production was inspired by the Book of Esther—the story of how Queen Esther, with the help of her uncle Mordecai, saved the Jewish people from King Ahasuerus of Persia and his wicked minister, Haman.
In this unique production featuring three Eszters, Queen Esther (played by actress Eszter Csákányi) looks back as an elderly woman on her youth and the love that gave her the strength and courage to save her people from destruction under a cruel Persian regime.
These memories bring her younger self and the key figures of her past to life on stage. Joining Eszter Csákányi are singer and actress Eszter Bíró and flutist Eszter Horgas, who also arranged the music. Join the three Eszters on this musical journey through time and relive the story of a courageous queen.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
TICKET PRICES: HUF 6,200 / 7,200 / 7,900
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Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 p.m.
Kol Nidre, a Serenade, and Viennese Cheer: Orsolya Korcsolán, Nátán Sugár, Wiener Concert-Verein
Just days before the arrival of the year 5787 on the Jewish calendar, the festival invites the public to a festive celebration. In the beautifully atmospheric hall of the Rumbach Sebestyén Street synagogue, violinist Orsolya Korcsolán, conductor Nátán Sugár, and—for the first time in festival history—the Wiener Concert-Verein will take the stage. Founded by musicians from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, this ensemble has been one of the most prestigious representatives of Viennese musical culture for decades.
The evening’s program seamlessly bridges three worlds: the timeless depth of Jewish liturgy, the memory and fate of Eastern European Jews, and the radiant melodies of Romantic orchestral literature. In the quiet, expectant days leading up to the New Year—a time for reflection, quiet contemplation, and spiritual renewal—works that carry memories of the past and hopes for the future take on special significance. At times like these, music speaks where words fall short.
The concert also features a deeply personal encounter between mother and son: Orsolya Korcsolán and Nátán Sugár, whose artistic dialogue takes on a special brilliance tonight. Returning as beloved festival favorites, audiences have enjoyed their memorable performances over the past several years.
The concert opens with Max Bruch’s poignantly beautiful Kol Nidre. Born from one of the most recognizable melodies in Jewish liturgy, this composition is more than an arrangement; it is a remembrance, a prayer, and an inner dialogue evoking the dignity of tradition, the stillness of the soul, and the hope of a new beginning.
As the evening’s soloist, Orsolya Korcsolán will perform Mieczysław Weinberg’s Concertino for Violin and String Orchestra, Op. 42. For this internationally acclaimed, Vienna-based violinist, exploring Central European and Jewish musical heritage has always been a career cornerstone. Weinberg’s music is far more than just a piece in her repertoire; it is an intrinsic part of her spiritual and emotional world. The music of this Polish-Jewish composer weaves together the historical experiences of the 20th century, exile, remembrance, and an unshakeable belief in human dignity. The lyrical beauty, melancholic melodies, and deeply human voice of this rarely performed Concertino transport the listener into the world of one of the 20th century’s most extraordinary composers.
The concert reaches its climax with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant Serenade for Strings, one of the most popular and irresistible works in the Romantic orchestral repertoire. At once intimate and solemn, passionate and uplifting, its melodies resonate with a longing for human closeness, beauty interwoven with pain, and faith in life. Its festive radiance perfectly fits the atmosphere on the eve of the New Year, as if the music itself becomes a holiday greeting.
To conclude the evening, the Viennese ensemble will treat the audience to the music of the Strauss family. Johann and Josef Strauss’s Pizzicato Polka, with its playful lightness, elegance, and classic Viennese cheer, is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face, serving as a sparkling finale into the new year.
The ensemble is conducted by Nátán Sugár, who, despite his youth, is already regarded as one of the most exciting conducting talents on the international music scene. He conducts the Münchner Rundfunkorchester and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, works in Vienna as an assistant to Petr Popelka with the Wiener Symphoniker, and will soon make his debut at the Hungarian State Opera House.
Featuring:
- Orsolya Korcsolán – Violin
- Nátán Sugár – Conductor
- Wiener Concert-Verein
Program:
- Max Bruch: Kol Nidre.
- Mieczysław Weinberg: Concertino for Violin and String Orchestra, Op. 42
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
- Johann Strauss II – Josef Strauss: Pizzicato Polka
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
TICKET PRICES: HUF 6,200 / 7,200 / 7,900
HEGEDŰS GYULA STREET SYNAGOGUE
Monday, September 7, 7:00 p.m.
Clarinetist Orit Orbach in Concert featuring the Hamsa Ensemble
The artistry of Israeli musician Orit Orbach is defined by technical virtuosity, spiritual sensitivity, and a powerful expression of cultural identity. For her, the clarinet is far more than just an instrument; it serves as the unmistakable voice of both personal and communal identity.
For more than twenty years, Orbach has been a dedicated interpreter of Jewish music. By blending the klezmer tradition with jazz, Balkan, and Middle Eastern motifs, she creates a uniquely contemporary, distinctive style that opens fresh perspectives on the genre.
The collaboration between Orit Orbach and Hamsa Band founded by the Kuna siblings builds a “bridge of sound” between Budapest and Jerusalem. Their joint performance is deeply rooted in Jewish musical tradition, the freedom of improvisation, and the rich diversity of world music. Tonight, the pulsating rhythms of klezmer, Middle Eastern melodies, and joyful improvisation intertwine to take the audience on an unforgettable musical journey.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,900 / 6,9000
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Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 p.m.
Di Gasn Trio: Balkan Klezmer from Israel
Gal Klein, a clarinetist and singer specializing in klezmer music, and Janus Hurwitz, an accordionist specializing in Balkan music, met in 2013 at the Jerusalem Academy of Music. Their collaboration gave rise to a unique sound dominated by Balkan styles and Eastern European klezmer, layered with elements of jazz and classical music.
Their music exemplifies “contemporary Israeli art”—preserving the musical traditions of Eastern European cultures while revitalizing this heritage to create a new form of Israeli folklore. Although the ensemble retains „trio” in its name, they have long performed as a quartet, with the Klein-Hurwitz duo joined by double bassist Asaf Rabi and drummer Ori Nahev.
Their concerts are characterized by virtuoso instrumental play and captivating, high-energy performances easily forming a direct, joyous connection with the audience.
- Program and dates are subject to change.
- Audio and video recording will take place during the event.
- Giant screens at the venue will enhance the viewing experience.
- TICKET PRICES: HUF 5,900 / 6,900
FRANKEL LEÓ STREET SYNAGOGUE
SOON
All events will be recorded and photographed.
Giant screens will enhance the experience at the venue.
