Veszprém

Veszprém: A City Tuned to Music

Veszprém truly is a town that loves music. For us, it’s not just about the big names, professional artists, or mass events, but a deep commitment to making music an everyday part of life for everyone. We actively motivate amateurs and hobby musicians, understanding that music builds communities and provides our residents with unforgettable experiences. We are proud of the local bands that have grown up here and regularly perform at venues like Expresszó Klub, our vibrant choir meetings involving groups like the Veszprém City Choir, and the electrifying outdoor popular music concerts at the Gyárkert Cultural Park, which can host up to 5,000 people. Our annual Street Music Festival, featuring global bands, attracts tens of thousands and offers a vital opportunity for emerging Hungarian artists to introduce themselves. VeszprémFest brings high-level, prestigious international stars to stages in town, and the renowned Auer Violin Festival celebrates classical virtuosity at venues like the Hangvilla Multifunctional Community Centre. Thanks to our open and music-loving audience, many stars who have once performed here—from Jamie Cullum to Katie Melua at VeszprémFest, or even international street musicians—eagerly return.

This profound openness has fostered a rich musical ecosystem, with numerous amateur and professional choirs and orchestras thriving across the city. The Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra of Veszprém is a prime example of a leading professional ensemble. We regularly see three parallel classical music concert series, often playing to full houses. Every weekend – and on many weekdays at venues like Papírkutya – we provide concerts and electronic music events for 100 to 1,200 young people at various clubs and cultural spaces. Consequently, relative to its size, Veszprém is a leading Hungarian city in organizing live music events.

We do not emphasize one single style or event; instead, we focus on music itself as a powerful tool for communication among people and communities. Participation is what truly counts, because we believe that music can genuinely make life better at both individual and collective levels. This is why we’re committed to creating more dedicated social areas for playing music—such as the refurbished spaces within Agóra Veszprém Cultural Centre—encouraging people to learn and perform through institutions like the Hangár pop music education centre (which was “sold out” during its pilot period) and the Antal Csermák School of Music (educating nearly 900 students). We also continue to bring even more inspiring events to our town. Essentially, we want to simultaneously strengthen and widen music’s foundation, understanding that a broader base allows its peak to reach ever higher.

http://zenevarosa.hu/en/article/summarising-city-of-music