Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category

Relics of the Queen Concert from ’86 @ Budapest – Hungary

 

House of Music Hungary production @ the Lobby 10 a.m.

Tuesday August, 4. 2026.
Exhibition/Installation

Just 40 years ago at the Népstadion on 27 July 1986, Queen gave a large-scale concert at the Népstadion in Budapest – an event that counted as a real sensation in Kádár-era Hungary.

The accompanying installation connected to the temporary Freddie exhibition evokes the memory of the legendary show from 40 years ago. The installation on view in the Lobby brings the atmosphere of the concert to life with the help of tickets, posters, newspaper articles and photographs submitted in response to a public call.

One element of the installation features excerpts from video interviews in which the concert’s participants and organizers recall their personal experiences, further enriching this defining musical and cultural-historical moment.

A couple of dates for the lectures:

Thursday – August, 6. 6.30 p.m. – English

Thursday – August, 27. 6.30 p.m. – Hungarian

Thursday, September, 3. 4.30 p.m. – Hungarian

Thursday – September, 17. 4.30 p.m. – Hungarian

Thursday – October, 1. 4.30 p.m. – English

Thursday, October, 8. 4.30 p.m. – Hungarian

Thursday, October, 15. 4.30 p.m. – Hungarian

Furthmore of exact dates and the  series of exhibitions roll over to https://zenehaza.hu/en/series/freddie-the-exhibition-related-programme

Reminder by Aggie Reiter

Go On … Choof Off! Sziget Festival within 2 weeks @ Budapest

 

 

7th to 16th August – Budapest

Enjoy the spirit of Óbudai Island offers, whereas  foreigners and locals enloose at the self-contained world campsites, stages, food stalls, and art installations exist side by side, creating a genuine sense of community among attendees. Visitors often describe the vibe as more relaxed and open-minded than comparable festivals elsewhere, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, environmental consciousness, and creative self-expression.

Yes, every summer, hundreds of thousands of travelers from across the globe descend on this compact island city just north of central Budapest. What began decades ago as a modest gathering of music lovers has grown into a sprawling, multi-stage extravaganza featuring international headliners, immersive art installations, and a genuinely welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival-goer, Sziget 2026 promises the same blend of unforgettable performances and laid-back island charm that’s made it a bucket-list event for music fans worldwide.

Between August 7th and 16th, dozens of Budapest cultural and entertainment venues will offer exclusive discounts to those arriving with a Sziget wristband. Venues that have joined the Sziget City program and their current offers can be found in the festival’s official app. Venues that have joined the Sziget City program and their current offers can be found in the festival’s official app. Just like Szimpla, Dugattyús, Arzenál, Turbina, Heavy, Atno, Palazzo Permanents, Pontoon, Szatyor and Trafó.
The full range of Sziget City is available in the Sziget City menu of the official Sziget app (external link). With the help of the interactive map, users can discover the venues participating in the program, as well as current recommendations, discounts and programs.

Coinsider a few practical matters: Choosing the Right Ticket: Ticket types vary significantly, ranging from single-day passes to full-week camping packages, so it’s worth deciding early how much of the festival experience you want. Those attending just for a favorite headliner might lean toward a day pass, while music lovers hoping to soak in the full island atmosphere often find the week-long options better value. Prices tend to rise closer to the festival dates, so booking early isn’t just about securing your spot — it’s usually the cheaper route too.

Join the fantastic Sziget Cruisin Boat Party crew and marvel at Budapest’s beautiful sights from the Danube! Make the most of your festival holiday and join us for one of the boat parties during Sziget!

Booking Accommodation Early: Accommodation in Budapest tends to book up quickly during festival week, making early reservations a smart move regardless of whether you’re camping on-site or staying in the city. Central neighborhoods like Downtown or the Jewish Quarter offer easy access to both the festival shuttles and Budapest’s café and nightlife scene, making them popular choices for visitors who want the best of both worlds.

Pairing your visit to the Sziget Festival, worthwhile to take time for a little Budapest City Break. One of the smartest moves for foreign tourists is treating Sziget as part of a broader Budapest adventure rather than a standalone trip. The city’s thermal baths, historic Castle District, and vibrant ruin bar scene all pair beautifully with festival days, offering a way to recover and explore between sets. Many visitors extend their stay by a few extra days precisely to soak in Budapest’s culture beyond the festival grounds.

Reminder by Aggie Reiter

PLACCC Weekend Festival @ Budapest 2026.

The PLACCC Festival awaits the audience with a special series of artistic and professional programs between May 26 and 31, 2026.

As part of the PLACCC Weekend, dance performances, monodramas, contemporary dance performances and performance workshops will take place in various locations in Budapest, while the festival will also host international professional programs with the support of the European IN SITU Platform.

The Creative Europe-supported program, which will take place between 2025 and 2028, will provide emerging artists with the opportunity to share knowledge, research and create within the framework of the IN SITU Platform, including in the framework of intensive creative laboratories organized by partner festivals.

Performers and Venues:

On May, 28. Luca Borsos and Máté Kőrösi’s participatory dance performance “Dance the District” invites city dwellers to move together. The special feature of the event is that there are no performers in the traditional sense: the participants dance to the same live-streamed music for an hour on the streets of Budapest, transforming the city space into a spontaneous community experience. Venue: Sandwich Bar Community Square, District VII., 27.István street – Budapest.

On May, 29. A monodrama “The Princess Weeping the Sand”, artist Maria Nasr of Egyptian origin who lives in Budapest, talks about the difficulties of escape and how personal traumas and immigration policy can steal years from people’s lives through her personal story. Venue: DANTE Közösségi Alkotótér, District II., 1. Török Street – Budapest.

On May, 30. The audience are invited to a premiere. The Kata Juhász Company’s production Wasteland examines the relationship between nature and urban civilization. The performance, created with the participation of the six dancers, reflects on the social meanings of pollution, consumption and “garbage” using the expressive tools of contemporary dance and music. Venue: Hungarian University of Fine Arts Department of Scenic Design.

The program series will conclude on the 31st of May with an event titled: Rite Workshop #5: Crowd by Dávid Somló.

International artists from France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Kosovo and Ukraine will arrive for the professional programs related to the PLACCC Weekend, so that the artists selected in the open competition will present their upcoming public art projects.It will take place in the vicinity of Boráros Square – Budapest.

The professional programs are held in English language and are free to attend with prior registration @
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnL0Di74odewEPqoeDR3byT1iF81B9_o8dasCC3yiuPRP0zw/
viewform

Update by Aggie Reiter

Podcasts coming to HBO Max from the 19th of May, 2026

Companion podcasts to the Game of Thrones universe – including House of Dragons and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – and other fan favorites are coming to HBO Max across Europe.

From May 19, the Harry Potter: The Official Movie Podcast has become available in Hungary, opening a new, even more immersive era of the fan experience.

HBO Max launches its podcast offering on the platform across Europe

From June, HBO Max will introduce several franchise-focused podcasts in Europe, centered on Game of Thrones and its ever-expanding universe. Fans will also have access to the Game of Thrones Anniversary Podcast Special, The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Podcast, and the Game of Thrones Podcast: House of Dragons, the latter of which will also have a brand new season coming next month to accompany the third season of House of Dragons, which will also be available in video format.

In addition, there will be companion podcasts and in-depth discussions related to HBO Max’s most popular series and films, including The Last of Us, The Pitt, The Comeback, and The Sinners, as well as the complete multi-season rerun of Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Official History of Curb Your Enthusiasm.


The European podcast platform will officially launch on May 19th with the debut of the Harry Potter: The Official Movie Podcast, which will be available in the region at the same time as the global premiere. Hosted by renowned film critic and presenter Rhianna Dhillon, the show offers a joyful yet analytical overview of the eight Harry Potter films, with special guests, film discussions and deeper exploration of generation-defining moments.

The Harry Potter: The Official Movie Podcast will launch with a special two-part edition, followed by weekly episodes of two episodes per film. Fans can stream the video version exclusively on HBO Max, while the audio version will also be available on major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Update by Aggie Reiter