Veszprém, this wonderful Baroque town of 60,000 inhabitants, lies on a plateau on the border of the forest-covered slopes of the Bakony Hills and the sunny Balaton-Lake-uplands, 120 km to the West from Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. Twisting narrow streets, flights of stairs and tiny houses create a picturesque labyrinth in the city centre. Because of its beautiful gardens and many public parks, the romantic willow-bordered banks of the Brook Séd, Veszprém is often called the "Town of Flowery Gardens".

...and the City of Queens! Veszprém and its vicinity have been the property of the queens of Hungary for a thousand years, and has also gained a special religious importance being the residence of the Archbishop. The fine melding of Mediaeval and Baroque architecture of the Castle makes Veszprém a great venue to visit - and in which to perform. Every summer the Holy Trinity Square, bordered by the Archbishops Palace, museums and churches, welcomes music and folk ensembles from all over the world for open-air festivities of the Veszprém Summer Festival.

The unique atmosphere of the past, however, in no way means that Veszprém is a museum town. The city is teeming with a vivid and very colourful cultural life throughout the year, and especially at summer time, when great numbers of tourists visit our town. The University, the local theatres, the culture centre, galleries, orchestras, choirs - including the Vivace Festivals, host ensemble, the internationally renown Veszprém City Choir - and dance ensembles are some of its rich attractions.

Listing all those events, which are organised by the Veszprém City Culture Centre is almost impossible. However, let us call your attention some of the peak-programmes, which might attract you, dear Visitor, to come and see, or even to join in!

If you want to know more about our town and its people, with the rich cultural and artistic heritage and recent values, the best if you come in early May, every year. Around the 7th May, the name-day of Blessed Gisela - Gizella, as we pronounce it - the creative and performing artists, professionals and semi-professional, show you their talent. Concerts, exhibitions, entertaining programmes follow one another, mediaeval fair and handicraft-show make it worthwhile also for foreign guests to visit the Gisela-days.

Our town is famous for its wonderful historic open-air venues. No wonder, that during the summer many visitors come and enjoy the great view from the Castle, the beautiful monuments, or just to have a coffee or ice-cream on the terrace of the several restaurants and coffees. But Veszprém is more valuable than a half-day excursion! It is worthwhile to spend some days here, especially in the summertime, when a soft evening breeze refreshes the tired tourist. Come and join in the programmes of the Veszprém Summer Festival from the 1st to the 20th August each year.

Click on Veszprém Summer Festival and you will find a great selection of cultural programmes, including folklore as well as art-music or vocal pop, dance and pantomime, films and a unique series of exhibition in the galleries and museums of the town.

Veszprém has been hosting international choral events every summer for twenty years. International singing weeks, multilateral choir meetings, a series of a cappella and oratorio-concerts are held in late July and August every year. "Vivace" International Choral Festival, held annually in August, offers a unique possibility for youth and adult mixed or female choirs to celebrate the joy of singing and the joy of living.

Click on Vivace to learn more about the festival, and to apply on-line, if you are a choir-singer or a conductor.