Sziget festival, also known as The Island of Freedom, is set to return to Óbuda Island in Budapest this summer on the 7th - 12th of August.

The festival recently announced iconic pop sensation Kylie Minogue as its final headline act, who has experienced a resurgence with her recent hit Padam Padam. Kylie Minogue will be opening the festival on Wednesday followed by Halsey the next day. UK Grime artist Stormzy is set to take the stage on Friday, and Martin Garrix is set to play EDM tunes on Saturday.

Sam Smith is billed to serenade us with his soulful voice in an ‘Unholy’ set on Sunday. Closing the festival on Monday are Brit award-winning RAYE, electronic music legend Fred Again…, and American DJ Skrillex.

The artists on the lineup this year span a multitude of genres – there truly is something for everyone and an opportunity to explore new music.

Sziget is one of Europe’s biggest festivals, and this year marks its 30th anniversary, which is certainly not a celebration to miss. It is a global phenomenon – attracting more than 400,000 people from 100 countries each year. The festival this year will host 60 stages and a diverse range of experiences including a funfair, cabaret, an art garden, wellness activities and a theatre performance area. 

Sziget festival offers so much more than musical performances. As well as an exciting line-up, the festival will continue to support the LGBT+ community through The Magic Mirror, a venue at the festival that spotlights issues that the community faces in Hungary where same-sex marriage is still banned. Hungary has introduced some of the harshest anti-LGBT legislation in the world, but at Sziget there is queer defiance in the face of discrimination.

The Magic Mirror will host workshops, stand-up comedy, film screenings and dance performances. The venue also hosts Magic Talks, a series of panel discussions about the LGBT+ experience and the future of the community in Hungary. The Magic Mirror was created two decades ago, but its presence has become even more vital in recent years with Hungary’s legislation against gay adoption and the end of the legal recognition of transgender people. By creating a safe space for the LGBT+ community at this festival, Sziget aims to tackle the homophobia that is present in Hungary. Whilst last year the festival faced pressure to ban under-18s from attending the LGBT+ stage and even daytime activities at The Magic Mirror, Sziget refused. As György Ujvári-Pintér, the organiser and coordinator of Magic Mirror told Dazed media: “There was a lot of pressure on us to do that, but we decided that we wouldn’t. The festival doesn’t get a penny from the Hungarian government so this ensures a certain level of freedom.” 

József Kardos, Sziget festival’s Program Director stated that “Sziget always stood up for LGBTQIA+ rights.”  Kardos noted the ethos behind The Magic Mirror:“

In 2001 when we started Magic Mirror we thought that the venue could help educate our audience and make them understand the specific challenges this community faces. Ever since then we strongly believe that it is worth making these efforts and unfortunately, our basic goals haven’t lost any of their importance more than twenty years later. In this part of Europe, where incitement and hatred against social minorities are often used in public discourse without consequences, where laws are passed that diminish the rights of minorities, we believe we must speak out and act against these tendencies.”

Sziget’s nickname ‘The Island of Freedom’ takes on a symbolic meaning when considering its importance to the LGBTQ+ people of Hungary. Its motto ‘Free To Be’ is a rallying cry for acceptance. Sziget has recently announced a new under-21 ticket, and Full Festival passes, 3-day passes and day tickets are now on sale. You can grab your ticket now by clicking here.

_

Heather Gosling