The Families and Communities Festival is gearing up to transform Vác into a vibrant village next year, inviting everyone from September 19 to 21, 2025. The event promises three full days of live music, cultural performances, workshops, hands-on activities, and thought-provoking discussions. From the Bishop’s Palace (Püspöki Palota) garden to the newly renovated Constantine Square (Konstantin tér) in front of the Cathedral, the festival will fill these spaces with a diverse range of programs, showcasing civil society groups, helpful organizations, and local communities.
Conference: Laudato si’ Turns 10
Kicking off the festival on September 19 is a conference honoring the tenth anniversary of the Laudato si’ encyclical, delving into topics of environmental protection, sanctity of life, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Free to attend, but with an 80-person capacity, the conference features a morning concert—musical interpretations of Sándor Weöres poems by the Comp Collective (Komp Kollektíva)—followed by a keynote address on the significance of Laudato si’ in papal declarations.
Dr. Márió Nobilis, founder of the Sun Hymn Association (Naphimnusz Egyesület), explores why a comprehensive ecological perspective matters now more than ever. Ilona Keresztes, president of the Together for Life Association (Együtt az Életért Egyesület), delivers a moving talk on humanity’s paradox: as we worry about the Earth’s fate, we drive the economy and fear overpopulation, even while birth rates fall. Her focus is on redefining respect for creation and understanding when human life begins.
A roundtable follows, bringing together experts from theology, environmental studies, and non-profits to debate life protection and care for creation. After a communal lunch, the conference shifts focus to artificial intelligence: Dr. Gábor Prószéky, director at the HUN-REN Linguistics Research Centre, demystifies massive language models and introduces the Hungarian PULI model, built on a 60-billion-word corpus, making local language technology safer and smarter.
Dr. Zoltán Gloviczki, rector of Apor Vilmos Catholic College (Apor Vilmos Katolikus Főiskola), examines the double-edged sword of AI in education—opportunity and challenge—and leads into a second panel of educators and language technology experts, debating AI’s real-world impacts in schools and daily life.
Grand Opening Ceremonies
At 4 p.m., Constantine Square (Konstantin tér) hosts the official opening with stirring speeches by Bishop Zsolt Marton, Mayor Ilona Matkovich, and MP Bence Rétvári. The event features concerts by the Central Brass Orchestra of the Hungarian Defence Forces (Magyar Honvédség Központi Fúvószenekar) and the St. Cecilia Choir (Szent Cecília Kórus), led by Colonel Zsolt Csizmadia and Canon László Varga, plus a ceremonial salute from the local Hussar and National Guard units.
That evening, the Cathedral fills with music for the opening mass, sung by the Cathedral Choir School (Szent Cecília Énekkar) under the direction of Ildikó Szurdok. The service, led by Bishop János Székely, will also be broadcast on Hungarian Catholic Radio (Magyar Katolikus Rádió).
Next, Father Ferenc Pál—priest, mental health professional, and well-known author—talks about self-actualization and well-being, drawing on his work at Semmelweis University and his books on mental wellness.
The festival’s Friday lineup concludes with a rousing praise concert by the Eucharist Band (Euchariszt Együttes) led by the Gável brothers, blending faith and contemporary music. Their songs, regularly featured in churches and festivals, highlight the power of musical worship and include cultural-evangelical performances with actors from the Dramatized Bible (Megszólal a Biblia).
Saturday: Nonstop Family Fun and Music
September 20 turns Constantine Square (Konstantin tér) into a festival hub with all-day stage shows and children’s activities. Catholic schools from the region introduce themselves, a live juggler-dancer kicks off the fun, and the Garagulya Giant Stilt Troupe (Garagulya Gólyalábas Kompánia) brings giant puppets and live music for laughs and amazement.
Afternoon highlights include the hilarious “Fool Stevie” (Bolond Istók), a freestyle soccer showcase by world champion Endre Zelei, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and a concert by the Saint Stephen Philharmonic Orchestra (Szent István Filharmonikusok). Don’t miss the traditional Roma music performance, the award-winning Misztrál band’s epic folk concert, and the spectacular Fire Knights (Tűzlovagok) fire-juggling show to light up the night.
Hands-on Creativity and Play
The Palace Garden (Palota kert) offers a full day of classic and modern play: folk games, face painting, blacksmithing, wood carving, basket weaving, bouncy castles, giant slides, and crafts. Whatever the weather, the festival’s promise stands—every event goes on, rain or shine, and all are free.
Whether you come for spirituality, science, play, or just to dance and discover, Vác’s Families and Communities Festival is where everyone—young, old, and in-between—can find a reason to enjoy life together.
