Sziget 2026

[billybigballs]

34 minutes ago, gfa said:

If they are just over halfway through 6 hours in is there a chance the vote is delayed? At the current rate they will be done by like 10pm?

 

Not sure if Hungary can be similar - but sometimes in the UK politicans waffle on and talk for hours to waste time to avoid a vote / put opponents off bothering to stay for the vote etc.

 

You can't beat a good filibuster!

[bunnyv]

They didn’t get it through. :(((

[TheAnonimMan]

At 8 p.m. Hungarian time, the final debate began on the termination of the Sziget Festival’s land use agreement. The TISZA Party, as a strong challenger to the current government party, submitted an amendment that they described as an ultimatum — they wouldn’t go any further than that. After a short consultation, the council reviewed the amendment, but the majority did not vote in favor of it. As a result, both major groups abstained, and with 13 votes in favor and 19 abstentions, the vote was once again invalid. This means that there definitely won’t be a Sziget Festival next year.

 

It’s sad that political infighting has reached such extremes, and as someone who lives here, it’s disheartening to see that the only real challenger to the current government operates in exactly the same way.

[CCester]

6 minutes ago, TheAnonimMan said:

At 8 p.m. Hungarian time, the final debate began on the termination of the Sziget Festival’s land use agreement. The TISZA Party, as a strong challenger to the current government party, submitted an amendment that they described as an ultimatum — they wouldn’t go any further than that. After a short consultation, the council reviewed the amendment, but the majority did not vote in favor of it. As a result, both major groups abstained, and with 13 votes in favor and 19 abstentions, the vote was once again invalid. This means that there definitely won’t be a Sziget Festival next year.

 

It’s sad that political infighting has reached such extremes, and as someone who lives here, it’s disheartening to see that the only real challenger to the current government operates in exactly the same way.

Pardon my French, but akkor a kurva anyatok.

[billybigballs]

7 minutes ago, TheAnonimMan said:

At 8 p.m. Hungarian time, the final debate began on the termination of the Sziget Festival’s land use agreement. The TISZA Party, as a strong challenger to the current government party, submitted an amendment that they described as an ultimatum — they wouldn’t go any further than that. After a short consultation, the council reviewed the amendment, but the majority did not vote in favor of it. As a result, both major groups abstained, and with 13 votes in favor and 19 abstentions, the vote was once again invalid. This means that there definitely won’t be a Sziget Festival next year.

 

It’s sad that political infighting has reached such extremes, and as someone who lives here, it’s disheartening to see that the only real challenger to the current government operates in exactly the same way.

 

How is an abstention counted against the vote?

[mathuska]

Good bye sziget! RIP fck tisza, fck fidesz, fck orbanistan sorry, i will miss sziget and i will also miss this topic!

[SzigetEire]

"After a long debate with the participation of Sziget founder Károly Gerendai, the Budapest General Assembly voted 13 yes, 0 no and 19 abstentions against the proposal supporting the continuation of the Sziget Festival. Fidesz and Tisza representatives abstained, while DK, Podmaniczky Movement and Párbeszéd voted yes to the proposal.

Károly Gerendai, founder of Sziget, said on the spot after the decision: he is now consulting with his colleagues, but he does not fully understand the decision of the representatives. According to him, the current situation results in complete uncertainty.

 

Despite the MPs' debates during the day, the amendments caused complete chaos before the evening vote, and the debate had to be adjourned twice. Gerendai also spoke to the MPs on the spot.

The debate surrounding Sziget took a new turn on Tuesday: Gergely Karácsony came up with new proposals, after the capital's competent committee twice failed to terminate Sziget's current land use permit and approve a new one. Among Karácsony's proposals that were voted down are , among others, that after terminating the previous public land use contract with the authority, a new agreement should be concluded with Sziget so that the capital's residents do not suffer losses for the entire term. In addition, it also includes, for example, that young people in Budapest can get their weekly passes at half price.

 

The two largest factions of the general assembly, Tisza and Fidesz, abstained from the decision throughout because they saw no guarantee that the capital would still receive income from the festival after the contract was terminated. The proposal received numerous amendments at the general assembly, Tisza would have had the government pay for the lost money, Dávidék Vitézy would have had money withdrawn from the communications staff of the Mayor's Office, and the Dog Party trolled the whole thing.

 

Andrea Bujdosó from Tisza said that they “went to the wall” and proposed a compromise solution. They accept the termination of the land use contract by mutual agreement, but money must be temporarily reallocated from the mayor’s city communication budget to replace the lost revenue. They also proposed that the factions be involved in the negotiations with the new Sziget organizer, and they also proposed that Sziget be given a discount on the area for two years, but that it be paid back after two years. According to Tisza, they went to the wall, now the other side must step up.

After the vote, Tisza wrote on its Facebook page that "the mayor proved today that he is not really interested in the functionality of Budapest, the protection of public funds, or even the future of the Sziget Festival - only in serving political backroom deals and private interests."

According to MP Krisztina Baranyi, the Tisza River "wiped out" the Sziget Festival."

https://telex.hu/belfold/2025/10/29/fovarosi-kozgyules-budapest-sziget-fesztival-szavazas

[Ads1]

I’m so disappointed. Is there any other way to save Sziget? Or was that the last option? I would happily pay more for the ticket to save the festival 

[BzhTraveler]

4 minutes ago, Ads1 said:

I’m so disappointed. Is there any other way to save Sziget? Or was that the last option? I would happily pay more for the ticket to save the festival 

Same !! 

[sandorbeni]

Feeling sad and disappointed is one thing, but what makes it worse for me is the feeling of disillusionment about the politics of the country. Why the f**k should I vote for anyone if they are exactly the same as the government.

[bunnyv]

5 minutes ago, sandorbeni said:

Feeling sad and disappointed is one thing, but what makes it worse for me is the feeling of disillusionment about the politics of the country. Why the f**k should I vote for anyone if they are exactly the same as the government.

Same. Big f**king loss in every way.  Feeling empty 

[billybigballs]

27 minutes ago, SzigetEire said:

"After a long debate with the participation of Sziget founder Károly Gerendai, the Budapest General Assembly voted 13 yes, 0 no and 19 abstentions against the proposal supporting the continuation of the Sziget Festival. Fidesz and Tisza representatives abstained, while DK, Podmaniczky Movement and Párbeszéd voted yes to the proposal.

Károly Gerendai, founder of Sziget, said on the spot after the decision: he is now consulting with his colleagues, but he does not fully understand the decision of the representatives. According to him, the current situation results in complete uncertainty.

 

Despite the MPs' debates during the day, the amendments caused complete chaos before the evening vote, and the debate had to be adjourned twice. Gerendai also spoke to the MPs on the spot.

The debate surrounding Sziget took a new turn on Tuesday: Gergely Karácsony came up with new proposals, after the capital's competent committee twice failed to terminate Sziget's current land use permit and approve a new one. Among Karácsony's proposals that were voted down are , among others, that after terminating the previous public land use contract with the authority, a new agreement should be concluded with Sziget so that the capital's residents do not suffer losses for the entire term. In addition, it also includes, for example, that young people in Budapest can get their weekly passes at half price.

 

The two largest factions of the general assembly, Tisza and Fidesz, abstained from the decision throughout because they saw no guarantee that the capital would still receive income from the festival after the contract was terminated. The proposal received numerous amendments at the general assembly, Tisza would have had the government pay for the lost money, Dávidék Vitézy would have had money withdrawn from the communications staff of the Mayor's Office, and the Dog Party trolled the whole thing.

 

Andrea Bujdosó from Tisza said that they “went to the wall” and proposed a compromise solution. They accept the termination of the land use contract by mutual agreement, but money must be temporarily reallocated from the mayor’s city communication budget to replace the lost revenue. They also proposed that the factions be involved in the negotiations with the new Sziget organizer, and they also proposed that Sziget be given a discount on the area for two years, but that it be paid back after two years. According to Tisza, they went to the wall, now the other side must step up.

After the vote, Tisza wrote on its Facebook page that "the mayor proved today that he is not really interested in the functionality of Budapest, the protection of public funds, or even the future of the Sziget Festival - only in serving political backroom deals and private interests."

According to MP Krisztina Baranyi, the Tisza River "wiped out" the Sziget Festival."

https://telex.hu/belfold/2025/10/29/fovarosi-kozgyules-budapest-sziget-fesztival-szavazas

 

This implies still some small hope, or am I seeing something that isn't there?

 

 

Edited October 29, 2025 by billybigballs

[thetime]

Bit crazy what's gone on.

 

I was going, booked hotels and stuff. Decided few weeks ago I wasn't going to go next year, due to on/off and the old owners didn't give me confidence. They were just babbling what people wanted to hear. Now my funds are tied up at other festivals, who do give me confidence. 

 

 

 

[thetime]

1 minute ago, billybigballs said:

 

This implies still some small hope, or am I seeing something that isn't there?

 

 

Just hope for 2027

[mathuska]

Tisza is huge mistake in the Budapest assembly, they several times proved to be very destructive regarding the city management, i lost any hope about next years elections. The only party i would vote is MKKP.

[Collin34]

Well f**k!

this sucks. Thanks for all the good times Sziget. 

[mathuska]

13 minutes ago, billybigballs said:

 

This implies still some small hope, or am I seeing something that isn't there?

 

 

Unfortunately there s no hope for next year (and possibly for the future as well, according Gerendai (the former owner).

[CCester]

1 hour ago, billybigballs said:

 

How is an abstention counted against the vote?

They voted, but they voted abstention, they didn’t have the balls to vote no, yet their vote counted as no. 

[kristofm]

Gergo Kovacs (MKKP): Tisza will read the comments and realize they've been acting stupid, and ask for a new vote. Let's just hope once they realize it won't be too late.

[bunnyv]

18 minutes ago, kristofm said:

Gergo Kovacs (MKKP): Tisza will read the comments and realize they've been acting stupid, and ask for a new vote. Let's just hope once they realize it won't be too late.

If only…

[Matt86]

Volt, Balaton, now Sziget ... Hungary just killed all their big festivals.

 

Clearly the politics do not care about youth there.

This is a sad news for all of us, but even more for locals 😞 

[kristofm]

Karácsony (mayor):

"So Sziget is not happening.

 

It will be important to learn the lessons from what we saw today from Tisza, regarding responsibility, their ability to lead, their knowledge, and in general about the future of this country.

 

What I can say today: I've tried. We have done everything. I am very sorry."

 

Edited October 30, 2025 by kristofm

[kristofm]

“I also need to understand what this decision actually means. I’m completely baffled by the situation,” said Károly Gerendai, founder of the Sziget Festival, right after the Budapest city councillors voted against the proposal that would have helped ensure the festival’s continuation. During the vote, representatives of Tisza and Fidesz abstained.

 

The city was supposed to terminate its previous land-use agreement with Sziget after the festival’s foreign owner decided to withdraw. The festival’s future is now uncertain, and its former founder, Gerendai Károly, is in talks with several potential domestic investors about saving it.

 

“If I understand correctly, they voted for an amendment to reallocate funds so that there wouldn’t be any loss of revenue — but even so, they didn’t vote in favor of allowing Sziget to go ahead, even though it wouldn’t cause any loss,” Gerendai said after the city’s decision. “So they voted to prevent any financial loss, but not to allow Sziget to happen. I don’t understand their intention. Has it been their goal all along not to have Sziget? If they don’t want it, then why should I keep fighting for it to exist? Up until now, everyone was saying they wanted Sziget to continue,” he added.

 

Gerendai said he is now consulting with his colleagues, emphasizing that the decision won’t personally hurt him but rather those who work at the festival — people who could now lose their jobs. As for the 2026 festival, he said that a final decision was supposed to be made next week.

 

“Now I have to think about whether there’s even anything left to think about. I’m completely at a loss,” said Károly Gerendai.

[bunnyv]

Absolutely ridiculous this whole circus is.

The latest: 

 

Magyar Péter claims that during the Budapest City Council meeting, the Fidesz–DK–Two-Tailed Dog Party–Gergely Karácsony coalition deliberately staged a fake controversy over the Sziget Festival to divert public attention from a much more serious issue.

According to him, while Mayor Gergely Karácsony publicly stated that Budapest was on the brink of bankruptcy, that same evening he and the coalition approved a 24-billion-forint (60-million-euro) loan from OTP and K&H Banks. Magyar alleges that the money will primarily serve the business interests of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s son-in-law, István Tiborcz, and the Orbán family.

The loan, he says, will finance the renovation of the Rácz Bath and the spa of the Gellért Hotel, now owned by Tiborcz. Budapest will receive no compensation for having to close the Gellért Bath during the hotel’s reconstruction — yet, according to Magyar, the city will now use borrowed funds to renovate a property that benefits Tiborcz.

He also highlights the Rácz Bath as an example of waste: despite being rebuilt over a decade ago with public money, it has never opened and has since decayed. Now, he argues, the city will spend billions more — again from loans — on it.

Magyar says that only the TISZA and Vitézy factions opposed the loan. Their reasoning, he says, was not opposition to improving Budapest’s historic baths, but rather the belief that a city facing liquidity problems should not take on huge new debts, especially when those debts appear to serve private political interests.

He concludes that Sziget will obviously be held, and the controversy was a manufactured distraction designed to cover up this loan deal benefitting Tiborcz and the Orbán family.

[CCester]

Peter Magyar of fb: 

‘’Karoly Gerendai and I agreed that we would meet again next year at the Sziget Festival.

ps: it was indeed possible to find a solution so that the capital would act as a careful steward of public funds and the festival would continue to be one of the most successful Hungarian cultural and musical events.’’

 

So it seems the dogs were right and Tisza will ask for a new vote. I’d be so f**king happy if one day could go by in this f**king country without a politician having the surge to became a last minute savior.