Sziget is Central Europe's biggest music festival, so we don't blame you if you're only here for the concerts. However, if you take a tip from us, you look beyond the stages because there's a whole world out there for your entertainment. If you decide to wander around, you’re bound to stumble across the Travelling Funfair, acrobats, jugglers, and giant animals. And if you don't mind retrieving your jaw from the floor, don’t miss the experience of contemporary dance, theatre, and circus. To help you navigate the various spectacular performances, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting shows you should see.
Sziget is kicking off tomorrow, with soon-to-be Szitizens already flocking to the Óbudai Island to put up their tents (see here how to prepare for the festival). Although one of the biggest draws this year is Billie Eilish, and other banging concerts are on the agenda, too, we encourage you to take a cultural break between acts! Sziget has so much to offer: you can take a dip into the world of walking street theatre, contemporary dance, acrobatics, and a variety of exciting performances.
Last time we were captivated by the arts, so this year, we looked around to see what performances were on offer.
Last time we were captivated by the arts, so this year, we looked around to see what performances were on offer.
Acrobatics and aerialists at the Cirque du Sziget venue
The Cirque du Sziget is a spectacular venue for aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers. It’s worth checking out Circus School Baross Imre: Világok vándora – János vitéz, where the classic story of Sándor Petőfi’s epic poem is brought to life with the help of acrobats. It includes acrobatics, juggling, and balancing acts, as well as aerial gymnastics. Speaking of balancing, check out Yldor Llach and Sobre Rodes’ show, which is full of music, dance, and acrobatics. The performer pirouettes on a bicycle or stands on their head on a moving bicycle.
Cirk La Putyka – BOOM Vol. 2 is another promising performance. The young acrobats fled to Prague to escape the war in Ukraine, and this story shows how the circus world can bring people together. Only the Das Arnak – Bakana show is more unusual, with performers hanging in the air by their hair. But if you’re interested in one of the first Moroccan circus collectives, don’t miss Chouf le ciel, with a mix of juggling, acrobatics, hip-hop, and traditional music. Then you have Cirque Alfonse Animal’s production, a mix of circus, music, theatre, and dance, combined with live music that the cast calls “agricultural funk” – you wouldn’t want to miss it.
Contemporary dance performances
This year’s Sziget will also have plenty of activities for fans of dance theatre. Kovács Domokos Tryangle’s solo performance, born out of the duality of contemporary dance and puppet theatre, explores traditional female and male roles and the dynamics of couple relationships. Lluís Garau’s Flesh is also worth a visit to the Magic Mirror. The dance theatre piece is about the physical and online representation of the body, where sexting, OnlyFans, and the generation gap are as much on display as the madness.
Kata Juhász’s musical one-(wo)man show promises to be another exciting experience, showing us what life is like in the politicised European cultural scene. It also showcases how we can still achieve our independence. Máté Váth’s Human Machine will be just as intriguing, with five young contemporary dancers exploring the human body. Set off on another unique jorney with the Frantics Dance Company’s Last Space. And if you are after a world filled with sci-fi dance moves and audiovisual show, sign up for Future Cargo.
Street theatre, Travelling Funfair, etc.
If you’d rather do something active instead of watching, you can also learn to juggle, and the Hungarian Juggling Association can help you. At the Travelling Funfair you can play baseball toss, watch the puppeteers, get on Germany’s smallest Ferris wheel, or learn about your future. We think Sienta la Cabeza’s hairdressing show will also be exciting, where you can even take to the stage if you’re willing to try a new hairstyle. And in the Magyar Táncház, you can get a taste of the folk music treasures of the Carpathian Basin, the atmosphere of the famous Hungarian “táncház” (casual folk dance event).
This year, the Giant Street Theatre will be back with plenty of surprising performances in the most unexpected places at the most surprising times. You can run into a giant dragon or animals several metres tall, as well as acrobats and accompanying drummers. There will also be living statues on Sziget this year, with 12 acts from the Dutch World Living Statues festival and the Portuguese Staticman-Living Statues Masters agency competing for the title of the best.
