Tricikli festival combines literature, cycling, and community across three cities

Organizers of Tricikli in Szeged at the festival's press briefing. Credit: Ferenc Ocskó / Tricikli Festival

The Tricikli Festival, a cross-border celebration of literature, cycling, and cultural exchange, returns this spring with programs in Szeged (Hungary), Magyarkanizsa or Kanjiža (Serbia), and Sepsiszentgyörgy or Sfântu Gheorghe (Romania), running from May 30 to June 21.

Launched in 2021, the festival offers a mix of author talks, concerts, bike tours, children’s activities, and creative workshops, all centered on promoting reading, sustainability, and civic participation. Its programs are conducted entirely in Hungarian and are recommended for those fluent in the language.

Highlights in Szeged include a conversation with poet Péter Závada, a literary market with live readings and book signings, and Zöldségeket beszélünk, a market-themed event where visitors can “haggle” over original short works by 20 authors. Other events feature a poetry book launch, a community bike race, and live music performances hosted at venues such as No Milk Today and Grand Café.

Later stops include Magyarkanizsa/Kanjiža (June 7–9), where literature and gastronomy converge, and Sepsiszentgyörgy/Sfântu Gheorghe (June 21), featuring a program centered on shared meals, book exchanges, and community cycling.

The Tricikli Festival is a grassroots initiative that blends art and everyday life. While participation requires proficiency in Hungarian, organizers emphasize its broader message: fostering connections across borders through culture and conversation.

Note: All programs are in Hungarian and best suited to Hungarian-speaking audiences.