Sziget Festival – Music on the Island

I wouldn’t be wrong to state that Sziget is the largest and the most celebrated rock festival of Europe. It takes place on Obudai Sziget (Old Buda Island) in the month of August every year. The popularity of the fest can easily be judged by the fact that more than 1000 performances are done every year. Sziget Festival also happens to be one of the longest of its kind. Most festivals are held over the weekend but this one goes on for a week.

Initially launched as a student event in the year 1993, the event soon got an international image when visitors from all across Europe starting coming in. By the late 1990s, it had acquired the image to launch itself as a major rock festival. Today, it has grown to an extent that train services have been put in place to transport visitors from Western Europe. Last year, more than 400,000 people witnessed the event.

The best part about Sziget is that bands from all genres come together to play their gig. Blues, jazz, pop, rock, metal, name it and you will find it on the itinerary. Iron Maiden, The Cribs, R.E.M. and The Killers are some major performers here. If I was to write in a term paper format on it, I would sure have mentioned how the organizers manage to keep everyone on their feet with such diversity. It’s amazing. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone sits down to publish writing research papers on it.