It has become a tradition for European Capitals of Culture to look back on the first six months of the year and prepare for the next six months in a joint „halftime” celebration in the middle of the year following the opening ceremony. This will be no different for the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 ECoC programme either: we are preparing a 5 day mini-festival to mark the half-way point of our title period. During these days, we will be hosting concerts by international stars, sports days, exhibitions, community picnics and special events like a roller skate discotheque, crossover music performances a storytelling festival and a picnic at an extremely long table . 

International stars will perform on the stage of Factory'ard CulturePark from 8pm every evening during the Festival, which will be free of charge for this special occasion. Registration for the concerts started on 15th May.

In addition to the concerts, there will be accompanying events like the International Storytelling Conference and Pannon StoryFest international storytelling festival, both taking place for the first time this year. In addition to fairy tales, the unique world of operetta will be brought to life at the Rátonyi Róbert Operetta Festival organised by the Petőfi Theatre, and during this time, there will also be unique surround-sound symphonic concerts in the centre of Veszprém, which will also offer a unique visual experience. Sports fans can enjoy extreme sports from morning to evening on Saturday and Sunday, 17th and 18th June, and there will also be a roller skate discotheque on both days, where you can dance to your favourite old and new hits.

Art fans will be able to explore the temporary and permanent exhibitions of House of Arts Veszprém during our Halftime Festival, and Paper Dog Culture Bistro will also be hosting concerts.

During the five days, Veszprém is not the only place to visit for a variety of programmes. You can also enjoy festivals, shows, exhibitions and concerts in the joined municipalities and institutions of the ECoC programme.

Among others, Csigó Mill in Gyulakeszi will host a concert and exhibition opening by Andrea Rost, but there will also be a lifeguard demonstration and programmes related to the Personal Balaton Memory Collection project. Vaszary Gallery in Balatonfüred will offer an exhibition of contemporary art from Wednesday to Sunday, while on 16th and 17th June, festival goers can enjoy a variety of jazz, blues and soul concerts at Örvényesvölgy Festival in Zalacsány, with acts like Gipsy Kings, Csík Band and Anima Sound System.