Reading time: 5 minutes

We sat down with Noémi Pálfalvi, Director of International Relations at MCC, to find out what makes the festival so special in her eyes. From personal highlights to exciting program teasers, she gave us an inside look at what attendees can expect from this year’s vibrant lineup.

This year marks the fifth edition of MCC Feszt. Looking back at the beginning — what challenges and expectations surrounded the organization of the very first festival?

Looking back at the inaugural MCC Feszt, we faced several challenges, as we had never done anything of this scale before. Establishing a brand-new festival meant building everything from scratch—securing a venue, organizing the programming, and attracting attendees. Our expectations were ambitious and groundbreaking. While we had a few music festivals we could draw inspiration from, our goal was to create a platform for meaningful discussions and cultural exchange on an unprecedented scale in Hungary. We were especially grateful that Tucker Carlson joined us as a guest speaker for our very first MCC Feszt, which was a huge success.

You've been part of the organizing team from the very start. How does it feel to witness the growth of MCC Feszt into a major national event?

Being part of the organizing team from the beginning has been incredibly rewarding. Each year, we’ve seen increased attendance and engagement, which reinforces the importance of our mission to build bridges and foster dialogue. Last year alone, we welcomed over 49,000 attendees and 120 international guests—an incredible milestone. What’s unique is that we’ve achieved this without losing the communal spirit of MCC Feszt. When I walked around Esztergom last year, I constantly ran into friends and colleagues I could catch up with. That sense of community is what I enjoy most—nurturing a vibrant and meaningful network.

International speakers have always been a cornerstone of the MCC Feszt program. Which notable foreign experts can attendees look forward to hearing from this year?

Where do I start… We’ll have speakers from Ecuador to India. This year, attendees can look forward to hearing from several distinguished international experts, including Dominic Cummings, a key figure in Brexit, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a bestselling author and a major international voice on migration. We’re also excited to welcome Jeremy Shapiro, a foreign policy expert, for a debate. MCC is particularly proud to support younger voices, so we’re honored to have Freya India, an emerging writer on youth issues, among our speakers.

What is the process for selecting and inviting speakers? What criteria guide your decisions when curating the lineup?

The process of selecting and inviting speakers is quite thorough and intentional. We prioritize expertise and relevance to today’s most pressing issues. Our criteria include the speaker’s background, their contributions to their field, and their ability to engage our audience. Our goal is to curate a lineup that not only informs but also sparks meaningful discussions and debates on a wide range of topics. Fortunately, with over 7,500 students at MCC, we receive a wealth of ideas and interests that help shape our Feszt Topics.

Why is it important for international experts to also appear at MCC Feszt?

At MCC, we believe it’s vital not only to be part of global conversations but also to serve as a hub for individuals and communities who share our mission. MCC Feszt is a powerful tool for achieving that.

Are there any guest speakers whose participation you're particularly proud of securing in past years? Why was their presence especially meaningful?

I’m always grateful to everyone who is willing to share their ideas on a platform like MCC Feszt. Over the past five years, we’ve hosted around 500 international guests, which we’re very proud of. I have a background in international affairs, so I’m always excited about our international guests. I especially enjoyed last year’s talk by bestselling author Peter Frankopan, and Konstantin Kisin was one of our funniest speakers. It was also a great experience to chat with William Dalrymple back in 2022 before the release of The Golden Road, which has become one of my favorite books.

In your opinion, what sets MCC Feszt apart from other festivals in Hungary? Why should visitors attend MCC Feszt

People enjoy engaging in great conversations with a cold fröccs on a beautiful summer day, and MCC Feszt is a great platform to do so! But more seriously, what sets MCC Fewszt apart is our commitment to fostering intellectual discourse alongside cultural entertainment. We don’t shy away from challenging topics. Too often, voices are silenced simply because they make us uncomfortable. At MCC Feszt, we believe in challenging prevailing narratives—and ourselves—through our choice of speakers and topics. Judging by our growing audience, it’s something that resonates.