The festival shaping the future of classical music
For over a decade, Budapest has come alive each summer with the vibrant energy of Festival Academy Budapest (FAB), a chamber music festival that has established itself as a highlight of the European cultural calendar.
Founded by husband-and-wife violinist duo Barnabás Kelemen and Katalin Kokas, the festival was conceived as a living musical workshop – one that brings together exceptional performances, masterclasses and competitions in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
Students from around the world gather in the spectacular halls and venues of Budapest to learn from leading figures in the classical music world, who come together to share their knowledge and expertise. The festival’s pioneering approach has earned it a solid reputation as one of Europe’s leading events, alongside the Lucerne Festival, Verbier Festival and Salzburg Festival.
Alongside its classical programme, Festival Academy Budapest (FAB) also embraces leading artists from the worlds of folk and Romani music, broadening its musical perspective and cultural reach.
Every two years, including this year, the festival hosts the Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition, in search of the next generation of outstanding talent.
1 soloist; 3 days; 9 concertos; 7 orchestras
In 2026, FAB will be preceded by a very special event titled Let the world know! Festival founder Barnabás Kelemen will celebrate the legacy of the Hungarian violin school by performing nine concertos with seven Hungarian orchestras over three days in the Grand Hall of Liszt Academy.
Barnabás Kelemen says that since childhood he has been ‘fascinated by the fact that, in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, the greatest composers wrote many of their most celebrated masterpieces for Hungarian violinists. The list includes Johannes Brahms, Max Bruch, Robert Schumann and Antonín Dvořák who all composed for Joseph Joachim. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed for Leopold Auer, Jean Sibelius for Ferenc Vecsey, Maurice Ravel for Jelly d'Arányi and Béla Bartók for Zoltán Székely, Joseph Szigeti and Stefi Geyer.’
Barnabás Kelemen says he has been preparing for ‘decades’, having performed all but one of the concertos (Robert Schumann’s Violin Concerto in D minor) before the age of 25.
Highlights of the three-day event includes performances of Beethoven Symphony No. 7, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Brahms Symphony No. 4, Sibelius Violin Concerto, Bruch Violin Concerto and Bartók Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2.
Let the world know! will take place between 1-3 May 2026 at the Liszt Academy Grand Hall and it will be streamed live to The Violin Channel followed by a film of the event on MEZZO and medici.tv. directed and produced by Imre Szabo-Stein.
Nurturing future talent: masterclasses and workshops
FAB Summerfest 2026 will take place from 3-13 July. While full details have yet to be announced, some of the world’s leading classical musicians will head to Budapest to perform in the Hungarian capital.
This year’s line-up of classical luminaries leading performances and masterclasses includes revered violinists Ilya Gringolts, Alena Baeva, Mihaela Martin, Maxim Rysanov, Frans Helmerson and globally acclaimed concert pianist Kirill Gerstein, among many others.
Taking place alongside the main programme of events at FAB 2026 is the sixth Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition, which is open to artists up to the age of 22. This year, Hagai Shaham assumes the role of jury chairman, taking over from Shlomo Mintz.
Competitors can enjoy Summerfest masterclasses, while winners and finalists will be offered performance opportunities, as well as a unique chance to build professional connections.
Budapest: A city of music
Barnabás Kelemen says FAB is a truly unique event – and one that could only be hosted in Budapest – as ‘students encounter the most remarkable traditions of Hungarian and Romani music. They can also experience Hungarian folk music rooted in the Bartók–Kodály tradition,’ he continues. ‘Hear its virtuoso violinists live, and even play and learn alongside them.’
‘The Festival Academy,’ says Kelemen, ‘is both a festival and a musical workshop where every performing artist is asked to share the very best of their knowledge with students.
‘Thanks to the world-renowned musicians who have joined us and continue to return, the past decade has developed beautifully – and if we can maintain this trajectory, we are on the right path.’ To learn more about FAB and to see this year’s line-up of performances, visit here.
