This word, which is quite unknown to Hungarians – though widely used in the Anglo-Saxon countries – is actually of French origin and can be translated in a number of ways. Its direct translation is “frazzled” but it can also mean the “border of something” or a haircut with “bangs” and - as a verb - “to trim”, “to border” or to “seam with tufts or tassels”.

The Budapest Fringe Festival is a side-runner to the core festival, the Budapest Spring Festival (Budapesti Tavaszi Fesztivál – BTF). It"s something like a huge Talent Show at the cost of the production price.

The role of the Fringe is to gather and in some way support the less known (underground) artists through securing a place for their performance. This movement started out as an initiative from the Scottish Edinburgh International Festival in 1947 and has been a conjunctive program to various international festivals ever since.

The essence of the Fringe is that the organizers who have carefully selected the programs for the main festival open a parallel platform for a series of events where all applicants can perform. The festival provides a venue for their performance; however, all other costs are borne by participants. Performers can advertise their show prior and during the festival, creating a busy, colourful and spectacular atmosphere of a “big cavalcade” unique to Fringe Festivals.

The first Fringe-like Festival was organized in Hungary during the 2006 Budapest Spring Festival.

In 2006 the local and foreign campaign for the very first Budapest Fringe Festival proved highly successful as 217 theatre companies, dance groups and music bands applied for participation. Among the candidates were poetry readers, guitarist-singers, string quartets, punk-rock bands, theatrical companies, symphony orchestras, contemporary dance artists, belly dancers, story-tellers, performance artists, fire-jugglers and an abundance of other colourful performances and shows. Aside complete amateurs many professionals applied too.

Among the numerous Hungarian Fringe applicants there was a number of foreigners as well, mainly from neighbouring countries such as Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, however, applications were received from more distant countries as well, like France and Japan.

This year to our great surprise and joy a total number of 350 performers will appear during the two and a half days of the festival (we received exactly double the number of applications compared to last year), with Russian, Swiss and Cuban participants too. The venue has moved from Pest to Buda, to the Millenáris Park complex and the Marczibányi Cultural Centre. Similarly to last year the performances will be assessed by a jury consisting of prominent public figures, artists and experts in the field, providing opportunities of appearing at other festivals as well. Besides the prizes awarded by the jury, there will also be a public and a text message vote.

The organizers and performers of the Fringe look forward to seeing you at the venues!