On 15th-16th March, Müpa Budapest, the city's major cultural hub, will be celebrating its 20th birthday with amazing performances, immersive exhibitions and delicious treats. The entire building will transform into a visual and emotional journey through Müpa’s most memorable moments of the past two decades. Expect an exhibition that celebrates the most iconic performances and unforgettable experiences that have made Müpa a cultural landmark, free screenings of legendary concerts, culinary offerings as delightful as the performances, and a whole new range of anniversary-themed merchandise that make the perfect souvenir to take home. There will be plenty of jaw-dropping performances to choose from, here are our six favourites.

Nocturnal Organ Concert with Light Painting

Prepare to be mesmerised as music and visual art merge within the frameworks of a breathtaking display. The ethereal organ meets stunning light projections, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that will leave you in awe. Pieces by J.S. Bach, Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók will be performed by three generations of Hungarian organists on stage. 85-year-old Zsigmond Szathmáry is a living legend celebrated as a teacher from the Netherlands to Japan – one of his own compositions will also be played. László Fassang is Müpa’s resident organist, and Ádám Tabajdi is an outstanding member of the young generation of organists.

Together – Kálmán Oláh, Krisztián Oláh and Kálmán Oláh Jr.

A multi-generational jazz performance will showcase the extraordinary talents of the Oláh family. Liszt- and Erkel award-winning Kálmán Oláh is a virtuoso pianist, band leader, teacher and proud father. He will be joined on stage by his sons, Krisztián Oláh, also a pianist, who is one of the most sought-after band members among pioneering jazz groups, and Kálmán Oláh Jr., who is a key member of his brother’s own quartet. All are accomplished composers, and it’s rare to see them together on the same stage.

Brilliant Twenty-somethings

Oh, being young and in love… What do Bach, Mozart and a modern pop star have in common? Popular beatboxer János Jammal Fekete seeks the answer to this question at The Brilliant Twenty-somethings event on 15th March. Find out what topics engaged both the composers of bygone times and the outstanding young artists of today when in their twenties, and what masterpieces resulted from these through a memorable performance.

In Harmony – The Great Hungarian Songbook

Experience a journey through Hungary’s rich musical heritage through a spectacular concert featuring timeless classics and fresh interpretations. One characteristic of all Hungarian hits, old and new, is that they can be reworked without losing any of their original qualities. The Great Hungarian Songbook concert series features famous Hungarian songs from various eras performed with new instrumentation, offering a journey through Hungarian music history.

Generations of Musicians – Focus on the Cimbalom

An ode to Hungary’s iconic instrument, the cimbalom, this performance shines a spotlight on the rich tradition of this unique instrument, featuring some of the finest musicians in the field and a repertoire that stretches from jazz to classical and Gypsy music. Benedek Csík, a master of the instrument was already performing at Carnegie Hall when he was only 14. He will be joined on stage by Áron Horváth, one of Hungary’s youngest cimbalom prodigies who rose to fame at the age of only 12. The show’s finale will see Miklós Lukács take the stage, who has time and again explored new dimensions of the instrument over the last few decades.

In Harmony – Feminine Energy

A celebration of powerful women in music, this concert brings together three female singers who have all been essential driving forces in the Hungarian folk and world music scene for three decades. Their rich repertoire draws simultaneously from Hungarian, Bulgarian, Greek, Slovakian, Ruthenian, Serbian, Portuguese and even Sephardic Jewish melodies. This anniversary concert will be a journey through a world of authentic sounds and song arrangements that traverse all boundaries of musical genres.

(Cover photo: Müpa Budapest)

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