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Once again, MCC Feszt will welcome visitors to Esztergom from July 31 to August 2 with exciting professional and musical programs and renowned Hungarian and international speakers. Among the highlights of the multi-day cultural and public event are appearances by Dominic Cummings, one of the key figures of the Brexit referendum and former chief adviser to Boris Johnson; bestselling author and immigration policy expert Ayaan Hirsi Ali; and Jim Robb, co-founder of NumbersUSA. The music program will feature popular Hungarian artists such as Irie Maffia, T. Danny, and BSW.
As in previous years, Mathias Corvinus Collegium's summer festival will offer a wide range of public events addressing major issues of public interest, including current geopolitical challenges, demographic trends, migration, and immigration policy. One of the featured speakers will be Dominic Cummings, a British political strategist and adviser who has been one of the most influential figures in recent British politics. As the director of the Vote Leave campaign, he played a pivotal role in the success of the Brexit referendum and coined the famous slogan "Take back control." He also served as the chief adviser to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and played a significant role in the Conservative Party’s 2019 election victory.
Visitors to this year’s MCC Feszt will also have the opportunity to meet Ayaan Hirsi Ali, bestselling author and social activist, known for her work on immigration policy and Christianity. Born in Somalia, Hirsi Ali is one of the most prominent contemporary critics of Islam. She co-created the film Submission with filmmaker Theo van Gogh, which criticized Islam’s treatment of women. She moved to the United States in 2006 and has worked with several conservative think tanks, including the Hoover Institution. She is also the founder of the AHA Foundation, which focuses on protecting women's rights. Hirsi Ali is married to the well-known British historian Niall Ferguson.
Jim Robb, co-founder and vice president of NumbersUSA, will address immigration and demographic issues in his talk. A former editor-in-chief of Good News Magazine and founding staff member of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, Robb has worked with NumbersUSA since 1996. He has played a major role in pushing for reform of U.S. immigration policy and advocates for secure borders and broader public dialogue through his activism and alliance-building efforts.
Yonathan Jakubovicz will also be among this year’s guest speakers. He is a co-founder and leading expert of the Israel Immigration Policy Center (IIPC), where he plays an important role in shaping Israeli migration policy. Jakubovicz regularly speaks on the balance between national security risks, social cohesion, and legal frameworks, with a particular focus on international refugee crises. A lawyer by training and former adviser to Israel’s Minister of the Interior, he was a signatory to the 2023 Budapest Declaration, which called for the creation of an international migration research network.
MCC Feszt will also provide plenty of opportunities for musical enjoyment. Over the course of three days, renowned Hungarian performers and bands such as Irie Maffia (reggae and dancehall), BSW (rap duo), and T. Danny (rapper and songwriter) will take the stage.
The festival, taking place from July 31 to August 2 in Esztergom, is expected to feature over 300 speakers, more than 100 professional programs, and over 40 musical events. MCC’s talent development programs will be showcased again this year, along with numerous partner organizations represented along the Edu Promenade, where daytime family programs will also be offered.
Purchasing the MCC Feszt Pass once again enhances the festival experience: it includes free shuttle service between the Esztergom train station and the venue, access to the local beach baths, and discounts on food and beverages. Festivalgoers can still purchase tickets with an early bird discount on the event’s official website, where continuously updated information is available. As in previous years, Edu Promenade, selected daytime professional programs, and some of the evening concerts will be free to attend.