Szeged to host 26th International Guitar Festival as part of University Spring series

Some of the world’s most celebrated guitarists will perform in Szeged this week during the 26th Szeged International Guitar Festival, part of the 2025 University Spring event series.

The festival runs April 17–19 at the Fricsay Hall in the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts at the University of Szeged. It features three evenings of diverse performances blending classical, flamenco, and contemporary guitar music.

The opening concert on Thursday, April 17, includes a performance by the Szeged–Novi Sad Guitar Orchestra, conducted by Dávid Pavlovits, founder of the festival. The program will include a surprise piece. The evening also features fingerstyle guitarist István Beke and the Phoet Duo, made up of guitarist Gergely Bozsóki and pianist Csilla Kovács.

On Friday, April 18, the "Night of Guitar Virtuosos" will showcase András Csáki, a professor at the Liszt Academy of Music, and Tilman Hoppstock of Germany, both known for their expressive and technically brilliant performances.

The festival concludes Saturday, April 19, with a flamenco gala, including a solo performance by Marcin Dylla of Poland, followed by the Perlita de Hungría Flamenco Duo: guitarist Péter Girán and vocalist Gyöngyvér Kóródi.

Hungary’s longest-running guitar festival

Founded in 1999, the Szeged International Guitar Festival is Hungary’s longest-running guitar event. It brings internationally recognized artists to the region and offers a platform for education, innovation, and cultural exchange in the world of guitar music.

The event includes performances in a wide range of styles, from classical and world music to crossover works with other art forms. It also offers interactive workshops, master classes, and networking events for musicians, producers, promoters, and journalists.

Pavlovits, who has performed in more than 30 countries — including at Carnegie Hall in New York — is an associate professor at the University of Szeged. He is also the mentor of several winners of the television classical music competition Virtuózok.

Backed by a strong professional network, the festival supports emerging artists through scholarships and performance opportunities. Over the years, it has hosted acclaimed musicians from more than 30 countries across five continents.

Featured image: Scott Gruber / Unsplash