General information - Details of the festival

The above thoughts sounded first on the Opening Ceremony of Summerfest 1997. The bridge became the symbol of the festival and of the city for forever. In the last year the bridge became more tarnished. Fortunately it did neither remain unutilized in 2003: close to 900 foreign people learned the name of Százhalombatta. They started out for walking over the bridge on the 12th of august, in order to take our city into possession and get acquainted to it, to the people, who live here, and to Hungary.

"The festival became a symbol: the symbol of friendship, peace and human values."

In the history of the CIOFF festivals around the world, it was first accepted in the city of Százhalombatta that families should accommodate the arriving dancers. Thanks to this, the citizens feel as a part of the festival, as well. Without their help we could not host more than 600 performers annually.

The festival already grew over its original aim (procession of foreign groups) in the first year. The arriving ensembles (thanks to the host families) are not foreign dancers but they are citizens of Százhalombatta, as well. So this way the host families are festival organizers, too. In the course of years this program brought people closer and closer to each other. During the festival the city is like a big family, where everybody wakes up every morning at the same time, and everybody goes to sleep at the same time. And of course these friendships formed between the host families give a restful and friendly mood for the city not only for these few unforgettable days.

Want to participate in an unforgettable experience
You can meet every arriving group on the Opening Ceremony. The groups introduce themselves in a few words and after that they give a short performance to raise the spirit of the audience. The show is closed by a collective dance of all groups and by spectacular fireworks. At the end of this event the audience can vote which group should be the winner of the Price of the Audience of the Summerfest.

Want to get acquainted to foreign cultures
During the festival there are lot of opportunities to get new friends. All through the organized programs the audience and the performers are not separated, they sit together and they dance together on the Picnic, the Ball of Nations, in the Festival Club, on the Festival Ship and in the Dance House after the Main Show.

In order to get acquainted to the foreign cultures more accurately the Wonderful World program was initiated 3 years ago, and it is still the part of the festival. Its aim is to give an opportunity for the arriving groups introduce their country. There is an opportunity for the youth (and for the elder, as well) to learn some children’s game.
These programs are free for everyone.

Want to celebrate freely
The Opening- and the Closing Ceremony are held in the I. Elementary School of Százhalombatta. The auditorium has a seating capacity of more, than 1600. On the Closing Ceremony every dancer and the audience makes a collective farewell with candle in their hand.

On the festival every day began yesterday and lasts for tomorrow. We established the Festival Club for the groups and for the ones who are interested; it gives a pleasant experience for everyone, who want to enjoy themselves.

Do not know Százhalombatta yet
Meanwhile the festival the folk groups visit more part of Százhalombatta, as from the upper housing estates, through the Old City, up to the Archaeological Park. You may choose from many different programs besides the Summerfest in the city, since there is a 10-day long series of organizations accompanying the festival.

Would like to relax
If you are not that much interested in folklore but you would like to make a small excursion, or you would like to sit down and take a rest then you are also at the right place. You will find the mystics of the Archaeological Park or the silence of the bank of the River Danube suitable for you. And nevertheless if you want to amuse yourself then you should go to St. Stephen’s square, the festival is waiting for you there.

The Hungarian Organization of CIOFF was formed in 1970. Its main task is to work out the new system, of regulating the international relations of domestic ensembles and festivals and the system of improving the activity. The office, after the establishment of Summerfest International Folkdance Festival followed it continuously with attention. Due to this our organization won the qualification of CIOFF festival in 1998, and it has still been holding this title.

"Hands in hands" - Opening Ceremony
You can meet every arriving group on the Opening Ceremony. The groups introduce themselves in a few words and after that they give a short performance to raise the spirit of the audience. The show is closed by a collective dance of all groups and by spectacular fireworks. At the end of this event the audience can vote which group should be the winner of the Price of the Audience of the Summerfest.

Hoisting and Lurer
Summerfest International Folkdance Festival was officially nominated as a CIOFF festival on the World Conference of CIOFF in 1998 (Khunming, China). This is, why one of the most important events of the festival is the flying of the flag, which is symbolizing our city as a member of the most important folklore organization of the world. This event is followed by a cheerful and spectacular procession of the folkdance groups who are taking part in the festival.

Dance Panorama
Between the indicated nights, 2-3 groups give an independent program filling up the whole night. After their show, the performing ensembles teach dances for the ones who are interested in it, in the Cultural Center.
We await the ones who do not just want to watch the dances but want to try it, as well.

Ethnographic exhibition and fair
The parttaking countries give a glance of their material folk art within the framework of an exhibition of high standard. You can buy folk art products here. The exhibition is open for the whole time of the festival.
Do not miss this event if You collect souvenirs from foreign cultures.

Festival Club
This club is nothing else, but a bustling international dance house. "Unplugged" music concerts and campfire is waiting for you every night in the open-air part of the club. This way you are able to roast bacon while you can listen to some pleasant music.

Ecumenical religious service for the peace
The most touching event of the international festivals is the ecumenical religious service, where the participants are singing and praying together, independent of their religion, denomination and origin. The groups celebrate the liturgical parts of the ceremony together in folk wear according to their traditions.
Listen to this religious service and get acquainted to other religions.

Tree plantation
The partaking groups plant a tree annually, which will become a park full of trees during the years, setting up a lifelong memory for the ones, who have visited Százhalombatta.

Visiting the Neighborhoods
The ensembles taking part in the festival visit cities in the vicinity with their programs.

"Who plays this?" - Children's game
Teaching of folk games to 5-10 years old children where the groups teach their own national children’s game to the ones who are interested in this program.
Children's game not only for children.

Wonderful World
informing performance in which the partaking groups introduce their country on the basis of geographic, touristic and other interesting things.
In order to get to know more about the arriving countries in the interpretation of a local person.

Little Night Music...
A new program for those who would like to listen some piano, flute and guitar msuic.

Folkart Fair at the Main Square
Transylvanian Folk Art Fair, introduction of Hungarian nationalities. Performance of Romanian, Serbian and Gypsy ensembles at the Main Square. During the performances there is a possibility to learn Hungarian dances, market comedies from the Middle Ages performed by the Street Theater of Budapest, thematic afternoon from the era of the Hungarian conquest.
Nearly 60 craftsmen sell their products on the Street of Professions, arriving from different parts of Hungary and Transylvania.

Street-theater

"Good bye World" - Closing Ceremony
Fantastic and spectacular performance of all participating groups of the festival completed by a candle dance and by other surprises.