8/31/2010





Jewstock in Hungary

Between the 5-8th August 2010 Marom Hungary has organised Bánkitó festival north of Budapest, with the participation of 2000 people, hosting over 100 programs. The name of the festival means “Lake Bánk”, referring to the beautiful natural lake, around which the events are held.

Activities range from egalitarian shabbath prayers, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, discussions up to alternative theatre shows or interfaith services. The focus of the festival is the culture of minorities with the aim to present the values of these cultures, and to initiate dialogue between them. In line with this beyond the Jewish programs the Bánkitó festival has also offered programs related to the Gipsy and Slovakian communities of Hungary.

The festival was run by the work of 100 volunteers –including Jewish and non-Jewish young adults. One of the main values of the festival is the common work and efforts of the core group of 20 volunteers who meet weekly during the year and develop the programs, as well as provide the technical and material needs. “During the process of organising the festival key issues of Hungarian society, including Jewish society are discussed, reflected upon, and the answers of the third generation realizes in the festival itself” – says Eszter Susán, coordinator of Marom Europe who was leader of the Bánkitó programming team. Thus the event is not only an outreach program for anyone who would like to join, but also a serious community development effort of the younger generations.

This year was the second year of the Bánkitó festival, and the fifth year of Marom hungary's summer festivals. One of the “Bánkitó” aims is become the major Jewish “backpackers” festival in Europe throughout the next years. The festival offers English language programs, as well, and has a significant English-language audience. This year members of the Marom Europe network have joined the festival – both as participants and as lecturers. A larger group from Marom Paris came to visit the festival and Budapest. Inbar Bluzer Shalem, UK Marom coordinator and coordinator of Marom Europe gave a session on Happiness economics and the whole festival experience was spiced by the presence of rabbi David Lazar, creating special shabbath activities and beyond.


Don’t miss it next year! Stay tuned!

Full program in English online

Related article on the JTA


Facebook us! Bánkitó fesztivál

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