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POLSKIBudapest Jewish Cultural Festival – Tuning in to Joy
27TH JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL 7-18 SEPTEMBER 2025 (BUDAPEST-HUNGARY)
In Budapest’s most beautiful synagogues and community spaces, in 5 amazing locations.
We are tuning in to joy – between September 7 and 18, 2025: unique productions, special artist encounters, original, young talents and Israeli performers will be there for you to see and hear.
HIGHLIGHTS - DOHÁNY STREET SYNAGOGUE WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 8 PM
Crossing musical boundaries: the Péter Sárik Trio and Guy Mintus (Israel) Trio
The Péter Sárik Trio is one of Hungary’s most popular and influential jazz and classical crossover ensembles, this time performing alongside Israeli pianist, singer and composer Guy Mintus and his trio. We can say one thing for sure: this is a must-see concert for fans of jazz, classical and world music!
The trio of pianist Péter Sárik, bass guitarist Tamás Péter, and drummer Attila Gálfi is one of the most prolific Hungarian jazz groups, regularly touring around the world to tremendous acclaim.
All three are open-minded, versatile musicians, and their „musical cross-pollination” allows them to appeal to a wide audience. Their repertoire is unparalleled in its breadth, including classical music interpretations, renditions of Hungarian and international pop hits, arrangements of Hungarian, Romanian and Balkan folk music, and, of course, their own compositions.
Israeli-born Guy Mintus is a pianist, composer, singer, creator and performer of exceptional productions in the world of jazz, classical music and world music, and winner of numerous prestigious awards. He is a highly trained concert pianist with the energy of a rock star and the imagination of the greatest jazz musicians. This is complemented by his affinity for world music, as Guy Mintus boldly uses Middle Eastern motifs in Western musical genres. The trio’s repertoire ranges widely, from reinterpretations of works by Mozart, Chopin and Gershwin to Israeli songs, Jewish melodies, and their own compositions. The trio’s music is nothing less than a joyful discovery of the world through the language of music. The members of the trio are: Guy Mintus – piano, vocals; Ofer Hardy – double bass; Yonathan Rosen – drums.
* The program is organized by the Jewish Cultural Festival.
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 6,900 – 13,900
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 8 PM
Shalom 5786! – Cantor concert in the light of the Jewish New Year, featuring world-class artists
What better way to welcome the Jewish New Year 5786 than with the most beautiful melodies of the Jewish soul: captivating liturgical songs and world-famous musical hits? Let’s celebrate together on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 8 p.m. within the sacred walls of the Dohány Street Synagogue! Be part of this evening and applaud the miracle of talent together!
At the concert entitled Shalom 5786! Israeli and Hungarian cantors and guest artists will perform true gems of Jewish music within the sacred walls of the European Heritage Label awarded Dohány Street Synagogue. In addition to liturgical songs, prayers and religious chants, we will hear world hits such as Yentl: Papa Can You Hear Me, Les Misérables: Bring Him Home, The Godfather: Parla Piu Piano, Love Story: Where Do I Begin, You Raise Me Up.
Accompanied by the MÁV Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Junior Prima Award winner Dávid Mester, the following performers will take to the stage on this special evening:
- Chaim Stern, Hennick Family Senior Cantor of Beth Tzedec Congregation in Toronto (Israel – Canada);
- László Fekete, Chief Cantor of the Dohány Street Synagogue;
- Gergely Nógrádi, chief cantor of the Frankel Leó Street Synagogue;
- Immanuel Zucker, chief cantor of the Bethlen Square Synagogue,
- Gábor Raáb, cantor student.
With the participation of:
- Judit Klein, singer, choir director;
- Hajnalka Székelyhidi, opera singer, head of the Cantorial Studies Department at the Jewish Theological Seminary – University of Jewish Studies;
- Dániel Ali Lugosi, Sándor Benkó and Junior Prima Award-winning clarinetist, winner of numerous prestigious international and domestic clarinet competitions.
Let us celebrate the new year 5786 together with these brilliantly talented singers, who are able to make our Jewish holidays and ritual events so memorable and uplifting. Be part of this evening and let us applaud the miracle of talent together!
* We reserve the right to change the date and program!
* The evening was organized at the request of the Jewish Cultural Festival ©
TICKET PRICES:
1900-4900 HUF
RUMBACH STREET SYNAGOGUE - WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
MONDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 7 PM
North African melodies in oriental splendor – concert by the Israeli Darya Trio
Music like this has never been heard before within the 150-year-old walls of the Rumbach Synagogue: the original and traditional North African melodies are combined with elements of classical music and contemporary jazz by the Darya Trio, led by Israeli artist Darya Mosenzon, who is proud of her Hungarian roots. No wonder the Israeli newspaper Haaretz described the band’s performances as a stunning blend of disciplined performance and liberating musical power that knows no boundaries, only depth and passion.
The soul and heart of the band is composer and pianist Darya Mosenzon, who embodies Morocco, Algeria, Israel, and Central Europe in one person, connecting the past and the present, tradition and modernity in her music. The other two members of the trio are percussionist Hillel Amsallem, who, as a master of groove, provides the pulsating North African and Afro-Latin rhythms, and Charlie Sabach, who plays a unique instrument called the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern lyre. Its deep, rich sound allows for wide-ranging improvisations and the performance of classical melodies.
On this evening, we will witness a powerful encounter between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East: the pulsating rhythms of the Maghreb, the classical wonders of Europe, and the exotic melodies of the Middle East will come together to gradually merge into an instrumental „dance festival”. The Darya Trio’s concert is therefore not only an extraordinary musical experience, but also a story about roots, migration, identity and freedom.
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program.
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 5,200-6,200-6,900
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7 PM
The Sacred and the Profane – concert by the Israeli Nigun Quartet
In Hasidic Jewish tradition, nigun means “wordless song”, which perfectly describes this four-piece Israeli ensemble, whose music blends the deep spiritual world of Hasidic musical tradition with modern, energetic and profound jazz improvisation.
The Nigun Quartet draws on Jewish folk music roots, but the musicians are characterized by a high degree of improvisational freedom, which is particularly evident in the aforementioned jazz solos. Although Hasidic people are deeply religious, the musicians of the Nigun Quartet do not seek to influence only the souls of believers—their artistic mission is to unite people of all ages, backgrounds, and religious affiliations in an elevated musical experience.
They have played at numerous festivals in Europe, giving concerts in Paris, Montpellier, Vienna, Berlin, and are no strangers to Budapest audiences, having already performed their unique productions here. One of their most popular albums is entitled The Sacred and the Profane, which is characterized by an emotionally powerful, deep sound that fits well with the spiritual content of the nigun. It showcases the band’s most important values: outstanding harmony, tension and deep improvisation, complemented by modern jazz elements and funky grooves.
Members: Tom Lev – saxophone; Mose Elmakias – piano; Opher Schneider – double bass; Yossi Levy – drums.
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program.
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 5,200-6,200-6,900
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 7 PM
Beethoven, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Milhaud, Bruch: Orsolya Korcsolán, Nátán Sugár and the MÁV Symphony Orchestra
A surreal Chaplin fantasy, or Cinéma-fantaisie, Milhaud, Mendelssohn and Bruch from Orsolya Korcsolán, featuring the MÁV Symphony Orchestra and conductor Nátán Sugár.
Darius Milhaud‘s 1919 chamber piece, Cinéma-fantaisie – Le bœuf sur le toit, Op. 58, is one of the iconic works of the 20th-century French avant-garde, inspired by the intellectual circle of Erik Satie and Jean Cocteau. It is no coincidence that it was so popular in the Parisian art world, as its surreal, burlesque music is only seemingly light and entertaining. In fact, it is a virtuoso work that requires virtuoso performance, a true „spicy extravaganza” that also reflects Brazilian folk music influences in its jazz style.
The absurd subtitle of the work has had an interesting career: in English, Le bœuf sur le toit means „The Ox on the Roof.” Darius Milhaud’s piece was so successful that a café called „Le Bœuf sur le Toit” opened in Paris in 1921, which became a famous meeting place for the French artistic world, often visited by Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, and Joséphine Baker.
This legendary piece can be heard this evening from world-renowned violin virtuoso Orsolya Korcsolán, whose playing will evoke the atmosphere, hustle and bustle, and crazy rhythms of Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and New York. And why does the title include a Chaplin fantasy? Because Darius Milhaud originally wrote Cinéma-fantaisie as a silent film accompaniment, and Charlie Chaplin remains the undisputed king of silent film to this day. Her partner is the young conductor Nátán Sugár, who is captivating audiences in the concert halls of Vienna with a tempo that belies his 19 years of age.
The concert will also feature three light-hearted overtures by Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Rossini, as well as Max Bruch‘s Kol Nidrei for violin and orchestra, which has become a traditional piece for heralding the autumn holidays. The MÁV Symphony Orchestra will perform under the baton of Nátán Sugár.
Program:
Max Bruch: Kol Nidrei for violin and orchestra, Op. 47; Felix Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture, Op. 26; Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio Overture, Op. 72; Gioachino Rossini: The Barber of Seville Overture; Darius Milhaud: Cinema Fantasy – Le bœuf sur le toit, Op. 58b
* The program is organized by the Jewish Cultural Festival.
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program.
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 5,200-6,200-6,900
HEGEDŰS GYULA STREET SYNAGOGUE - WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 7 PM
The internationally renowned Preßburger Klezmer Band takes the stage!
The unique Bratislava-based band, the Preßburger Klezmer Band, has had a huge fan base since its founding in 1995, as it is the first Slovak klezmer band. At the same time, they offer a true Central and Eastern European musical cocktail: their repertoire is enriched with Slovak, Gypsy, Balkan, and Eastern musical elements, and their songs even feature jazz and reggae motifs.
Since its beginnings, the band has toured Europe, performed overseas, played at huge music festivals as well as intimate clubs, and shared the stage with stars such as Lorin Sklamberg, Frank London, Merlin Shepherd, Steven Weintraub, and Sasha Lurje.
On this evening, one of Slovakia’s most famous bands will also celebrate its 30th anniversary, recalling the most successful songs of the past three decades and presenting new compositions.
The members of the band are: Marta Potančoková (vocals), Snežana Jović-Werner (accordion, vocals), Andrej Werner (violin), Miroslav Lago (clarinet), Valér Miko (piano), Samuel Alexander (double bass, vocals), Jakub Valiček (percussion).
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program.
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 5,900-6,900
FRANKEL LEÓ STREET SYNAGOGUE - WHERE CAN I FIND IT?
MONDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER, 8 PM
Nataly Oryon: Jerusalem of the Balkans
One of Jerusalem’s most enchanting voices in Mediterranean world music, Nataly Oryon, together with her fellow musicians, will arrive from Israel to captivate the audience of the Jewish Cultural Festival with their exotic performance. Their concert, entitled “The Jerusalem of the Balkans”, will feature songs from the ancient Jewish communities of the Balkan Peninsula, performed at the Frankel Leó Street Synagogue on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. Tickets are uniformly priced at 3,900 HUF. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
With her warm, enchanting voice and magnetic presence, Nataly brings to life the rich spiritual heritage of Jewish communities from Greece and the Balkans. Drawing on centuries-old traditions, Nataly weaves sacred Sephardi melodies, rare Romaniote songs, and tributes to heroic Jewish women who survived WWII through music.
“Jerusalem of the Balkans” is a multilingual journey through Greek, Ladino, Hebrew, and other Mediterranean languages, evoking the vibrant world of early 20th-century Jewish Thessaloniki — once known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” The result is a moving, rhythmic, and celebratory experience that invites audiences to connect, remember, and rejoice.
Nataly Oryon – vocals, arrangements, musical direction | Arie Livshin – bouzouki, mandolin | Nimrod Ben Natan – guitar | Ivan Ceresnjes – percussion.
* We reserve the right to make changes to the date and program
TICKET PRICES:
HUF 3900
