With a total of 20 venues, around 160 events and 25 open wineries, the 11th Kerekdomb Festival in Tálya, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County between 18 and 20 September. To mark the end of the summer in the Tokaji wine region, the organisers have lined up performances of light and classical music, theatre, literary events and wine tastings.
Natália Oszkó-Jakab, the festival’s founder, said at a press conference on the subject:
The aim of the three-day event is to showcase Tállya’s historical, cultural and wine-related heritage, alongside its musical, literary, theatrical and visual arts programmes.
The Kerekdomb Festival therefore does not seek to follow the model of any other event, but builds on Tállya’s unique characteristics.
Wine will take centre stage
As he explained, the festival programme features performers such as Quimby, Bongor, the Bohemian Betyars, Blahalouisiana, Kale Lulugyi and László Kollár-Klemencz, amongst others, whilst young performers from the Hangfoglaló Programme will also be given the opportunity to perform. The classical music programmes will feature lecturers and students from the Béla Bartók Faculty of Music at the University of Miskolc, whilst visitors will also be able to choose from a selection of films from the Malter Travelling Film Festival, he added.
One of the central features of the event will be wine and gastronomy; festival-goers will be able to taste a selection of judged wines at 25 wineries. Once again this year, the festival will feature the Wine Trail Passport, which will allow wine lovers to tour the open cellars with their accompanying wine glass, whilst the winemakers themselves introduce them to their products and the history of their cellars – said the festival’s founder. Natália Oszkó-Jakab also spoke about how visitors less familiar with the world of wine can easily learn about the distinctive features of this historic wine region, the role of the soil and terroir, and the various winemaking processes.
Everyone needs a bit of exercise
The organisers are also preparing children’s programmes, with craft sessions, play areas and workshops to be held at the festival; however, as a dog-friendly event, dog owners are also welcome alongside families – he added. He emphasised that, alongside cultural and family programmes for all age groups, traditional programmes will also feature prominently, whilst those who enjoy active leisure activities will also find something to their liking.
This year, those interested can choose from four different vineyard walks; as part of this programme, participants can sample wine made from grapes grown on the vineyard at the top of each plot. According to him, in addition to the walks, the organisers are also planning nature-based e-bike excursions, rowing trips on the River Bodrog and running races.
At the Tállya Run, taking place in and around the town, visitors can choose from 5, 10 and 15-kilometre routes, whilst there is also a 500- and 1,000-metre family run and a 1-kilometre race named the Ludas Matyi Children’s Run. Natália Oszkó-Jakab emphasised that the aim of the festival is to showcase the attractions of Tállya and the surrounding area, whilst encouraging visitors to return to the countryside even outside the festival period.
The festival’s detailed programme, as well as tickets and season tickets, are available on the https://kerekdombfeszt.hu/website, as well as on the event’s official social media channels.
