Between September 24–28, the largest cultural event of the Hungarian community in Timișoara returns: the Hungarian Cultural Days. For five days, the city center will be transformed into a vibrant meeting place where tradition, culture, community experience, and entertainment go hand in hand.
The Bastion-Varbastya Association has prepared a diverse program in Victory Square and Liberty Square: pop-rock concerts with bands from Hungary and Transylvania, Hungarian folk music and dances, traditional gastronomy, a handicraft fair with handmade products, workshops and activities for children, debates, book launches, film screenings, sports activities, and historical reenactments with the participation of groups from Hungary and Timișoara, along with many other surprises.
“This is the biggest event of the Hungarian community, and we are glad to have reached the 10th edition. We thank the Timișoara City Hall which, starting in 2024, provides us with four years of funding – which gives us stability. This year we receive almost 500,000 lei, about 80% of the budget of the Hungarian Cultural Days. The rest of the money comes from Hungary and from various companies. At the first edition, it was the other way around: 80% support from Hungary, while Timișoara contributed less than 20%. We are happy about this recognition. When we started this initiative, we did not expect it to have such a positive impact, both among the Hungarian community and among Romanians and other participants. It is a win-win situation for everyone. All Hungarians from Timișoara meet here, but also those who moved to Hungary or Germany, as well as guests from Transylvania and Serbia, together with Romanian and German fellow citizens. It is something extraordinary. It is not easy to organize, even after 10 years of experience,” said Péter Tamás, president of the Bastion-Varbastya Association.
Official opening
The series of events opens on Wednesday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m., with a festive gala at the Romanian National Opera in Timișoara, where the audience will be carried into a special musical world by the concert of the Péter Sárik Trio and Koszika.
Films and fairs
On Thursday, the Hungarian Cultural Days move to the Studio Cinema, for screenings of Hungarian films. Among them is The Witness (1969), an iconic film of Hungarian cinema, which portrays the absurdity of dictatorships. The film was banned immediately after being made and remained on the shelf for ten years. In 1979, it was secretly taken out of the country and presented at the Festival of Forbidden Films, where it achieved great success and was purchased by 32 countries.
Also on Thursday, the Gastronomic Fair opens in the Modex parking lot, with 20 stands offering Hungarian specialties. On Friday, the Handicraft Fair follows in Liberty Square, with 70 stalls.
“In Victory Square there will be stands of tourism companies from Hungary, from Békés and Csongrád-Csanád counties. The Gastronomic Fair is the most appreciated by the people of Timișoara. As every year, we will have great variety: Szekely Csárda will cook on the spot – from goulash to various grills. There will be kürtőskalács, lángos, pancakes, two Hungarian craft beer pavilions, wine and pálinka stands, and, as a novelty, the Székely hamburger,” said Rita Metz, on behalf of the organizers.
Activities for children and young people
The little ones will enjoy film screenings (*Bobiță and Ladybird*), creative workshops, puppet shows, and cheerful concerts dedicated to children. For teenagers, a point of attraction will be Tehișoara – Youth Street, where games, community activities, and electrifying parties will guarantee fun.
An unmissable moment will be the series of tradition presentations organized in the Huniade Castle Park: a medieval camp, weapon demonstrations, falconry, archery competitions, and a large-scale reenactment of the Siege of Timișoara from 1552. The atmosphere will be enriched by torch parades, fire juggling, and Renaissance music.
Concerts and folklore
Music lovers will enjoy unforgettable experiences. Concerts on the stage in Victory Square begin on Friday, with a day dedicated to folklore. On Saturday and Sunday, the big concerts will follow: Erika Szakács, Hungarian Rhapsody (a Queen tribute band), Sin Seekas, as well as two very well-known names from Hungary – Rúzsa Magdolna and EDDA Művek – who will make the 2025 edition a memorable event.
Funding and support
The project is funded by the Municipality of Timișoara, through the Timișoara Project Center, within the “Cultural Landmarks 2014–2027” program. Financial support also comes from the Hungarian state, through the Bethlen Gábor Foundation and the Mol Foundation.
The detailed program of the Hungarian Cultural Days of Timișoara 2025 is available at zilelemaghiaretm.ro.
