Article written by Lina Roß, 08.29.2024
Impressions from a küföldi in Summer 2024 about the 33. hungarian interdisciplinary music & art festival “Művészetek völgye“ (19.- 28. July), about it‘s hangulat and it ́s sokszínűség
Ten Days I spent at the Hungarian festival „Művészetek völgye“,
which means translated: “The Valley of Arts.“ As I was lucky to find out, a special festival, in many different ways. So first of all I arrived there as a Küföldi, alone with my little tent. But even at the day of my arrival in the little village called Kapolcs, I got help, when I needed it; for example with my luggage and met many open minded cordially people. Very fast I felt welcomed, though may hungarian was still a little bumpy.
The festival took place in Kapolcs, Vigándpetend and Taliándörögd. Three little villages that had a charm, I must say. The People, who lived there in their daily lives took also part in the festival. I loved that the festival had also a local references. For example you could taste some fruity and fresh wines from Balaton in form of a Fröccs or Pure. Pure was also the Pálinka, but I guess you know that there always is enough alcohol at a festival. So let`s talk about the music: Rendben van! Wow! A lot of music. I have to admit, that I had Fear of missing out before, meanwhile and after the festival, but hey I still saw at least tree concerts per day and did many other things. Europa Kiadó, Budapest Bár, Beton.hofi, Ivan & The Parazol, haridrama Band, Herself, Elefant, 30Y, hiperkarma, Szabó Balázs Bandája, The rock legend Hobo and also Bill from the Deák Blues Band, Lenkke_, Kiss Tibi és az ranyakkord but also some classical concerts for example from a great violinist Bence Falb at the Papageno Klassik, which was a really calm and beautiful place in a little church on a mountain, some meditation in the little villages beneath the main stages and program little Jazzbands and a lot good folk music and dances at the Hagyományok Háza Folkudvar, just to drop some random names here. My Impression was, that at some concerts People danced a lot. They just felt the music and in some parts they did not cared about that rules and just felt free, cause in this place it was possible to feel free, no matter if you came from abroad or not. Kenderkert was the place to be, always chilled atmosphere, good conversations. A bonfire and dancefloor outside, which brings me to the nature. The festival took place in the nature of forests, mountains the Balaton-felvidéki national reservar and it‘s near to the Balaton. The Festival itself took place in a valley as the name of the festival also provides. Beneath the Hungarian cuisine and the finest music, you also could just wander around the whole day and admire the handcrafted food like the finom Retés at the Retés ház, a family company, fine art, cloth, wood, iron, pearls, rings, bracelets or paintings. You also could get painted yourself, if you wanted to with henna and glitter tatoos or do some art yourself out of iron in a old forge with a blacksmith. So to sum it up, there is a lot of handcrafted art you can see & buy and even make by yourself. Some of the people I talked to had a stand at the festival for almost 20 Years. Also a lot of the visitors at the festival underlined that it has a jó hangulat, a special vibe and atmosphere, not only because of the Bands and Concerts, workshops, Panels and good food, but also because of the People. What else ? Cinema, dialogues, books, antique stuff, theater, comedy, play, poetry, program for childrens as well as for grown ups. Outstanding was also, that generations from young to old where welcomed and participate in the festival. The possibilty to have conversation as a younger person with the older generation seemed to be important for many people that I met.
The Festival itself has a Value. Some People came here the 15th time in their live. Some found there family here, met long holding friendships here. Some People came also alone to the festival, But there werent alone at all here. Let me say you can make friends fast & easy if you want to.
Sadly I ve got sick the last second days, so I was not able to attent to all the concerts, but still there were enough. I made Interviews with many different interesting and colourful people. Actually a mesterdiplomámat a Völgy Fesztiválról írom, and for that I made 22 Interviews with a lot different people in three languages. My masterthesis question is: “In what ways can the interdisciplinary Music & art festival „Művészetek Völgye“ be a dialogue space, a third place, for the art & cultural Scene in Hungary in Terms of diversity and cultural Exchange ?“ So far, from all I experienced, I might say, they are many ways that the Művészetek Völgye shows up as a dialouge space for the cultural & art scene in terms of music, diversity and discussion towards different generations. I also talked to the Festivaldirector. She said about the festival:“It is really outstanding in this setting. Well, you wouldn’t find any other festivals where you would have audience from babies to 100 years old. And that they are mixing with each other. So you have so many generations. Families would come here, and everyone would find somethin, that they would like to do, or spend some quality time together. It’s accessible, financially accessible as well. It’s one of the cheapest festivals in Hungary, actually. There is some media attention always in the springtime when they put out all the ticket prices, and it turns out always that it’s one of the cheapest ones. So it’s still accessible. And accessible space-wise as well, because we have logistically so much transportation around it, and so much accessibility measurements were taken in order to make it walkable or wheelchairable for everyone, despite its three villages. Actually, we have a good connection with some schools for children and people with disabilities. We are not putting that much media attention on it, because we just provide some programs for some schools and institutions as well. But we usually don’t put it out, because we just do it.“
Művészetek Völgye is more about the vibe itselfs, as I talked to many people told me all that this is one of the best festivals in Hungary so far.
The festival director also said: “I’m really happy that we have every year younger and younger people around us, because you wouldn’t find any other place such as this one. And perhaps it’s a calmer place to start going to concerts and experience art than a huge festival with 100,000 people in one space. But the good thing is that more and more people, word of mouth, it goes around the high schoolers and university students that we address.“
I also talked to a singer from a band who told me: “ I have great respect for the younger generations. I recognise that they may face greater challenges than we do. It’s important that they stay true to themselves and navigate the complexities of the world with integrity and courage“ I think his words summarize in a good way the impact, open mindfulness & vibe that the festival has. The Vibe is something , that I am missing now. So much to process and to be thankful for. If there is something I should criticize, I would only mention the toilet situation at the festival but I guess you have this everywhere and the hot weather but that ́s it. Almost 40 Degrees and a week under the sun with a tent without shadow is something, you only can experience yourself. If you are able to, out in your tent in the summertime at Művészetek Völgye, I would recommend you if possible, a place in the shadow. And don ́t forget to drink enough water , meanwhile the exitement 😉
I would recommend you a lot to go once to this unique & outstanding festival to experience the vibe on your own! It definitely worth it. And to all the people I talked to & I met: Nagyon Köszönöm, hogy találkoztunk! Gyönyörű volt. Sziasztok és szép napot! A Fesztiválon kurvajó volt!
