The Festival Weeks of Sopron have 51 years of tradition behind them, bringing this beautiful and historic city to life for three entertainment-filled weeks.
At the height of summer when the population is supplemented by visitors from both Hungary and abroad for a delightful mix of cultures and perspectives, representatives of the arts come together to provide a full program for all.
To start the festivities off, the traditional opening weekend will set the mood with three days of concerts by Edvin Marton, Besh O Drom and Fenyő Miklós and numerous others, a handicraft market, a giant marionette performance and a folkdance festival.
As if that wasn’t enough, this will be the second year in which the Night of “Blue Frankish” will celebrate the special relationship between the town and the kékfrankos wine produced in the area. Kolosar street, leading to the main square, will fill with wine tasting venues and specialty foods.
The main venue for the events of the festival is the amazing Cave Theater of Fertőrákos. With haunting acoustics and a dramatic atmosphere, this former quarry is ideal for staging operas, musicals, orchestral performances, theater productions and even dance performances.
In addition to the Cave Theater, the Petőfi Theater will provide the stage for the performances of the Summer Theater. Meanwhile, all the public spaces of the city, including the main square and several courtyards, will also transform into performance spaces for the concerts, fairs, folk shows and children’s programs.
Some highlights of the program are the Days of Old Music, a week of concerts highlighting baroque music from June 24th-30th. In the exclusive exhibition hall of the city, the Festőterem, there will be a distinctive selection of industrial and fine art. There will even be sports events and competitions to add to the expansive artistic program. Certainly not to miss is the Fire Jumping that will take place on Midsummer’s Eve.
With such a cornucopia of programs to enjoy, it is sure that there will be something for everyone. While wandering between programs, the city itself serves as a work of art to be enjoyed with its excellent collection of architecture, lending itself perfectly to this visual feast.
Some performance highlights at the Cave Theater:
June 28 at 8:30 p.m. – Gypsies of Nagyida by Experidance
July 4 & 5 at 8:30 p.m. – Verdi: Masquerade Opera (in Italian)
July 11 at 8:30 p.m. – Intermezzo Opera Gala
July 12 at 8:30 p.m. – Tenor Gala in memoriam of Luciano Pavorotti
July 4 & 5 at 8:30 p.m. – Verdi: Masquerade Opera (in Italian)
July 11 at 8:30 p.m. – Intermezzo Opera Gala
July 12 at 8:30 p.m. – Tenor Gala in memoriam of Luciano Pavorotti
For more information visit www.prokultura.hu! (Hungarian only)
Dates: June 20-July 13
Place: Sopron, Hungary
Pro Kultura Main Office
9400 Sopron, Liszt F. u. 1.
Tel.: +36.99.517.501
info@prokultura.hu