Góbéfest at the Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

Góbéfest

Góbéfest was established in 2017 to celebrate the little-known culture and traditions of the Szekler people – a group of ethnic Hungarians living in Transylvania, which is part of Romania.

A Góbé is a friendly word for a ‘crafty Székely’. With its roots firmly in Transylvania, Góbéfest will also showcase the practices and folklores of other cultures from across Europe and beyond.

Since then, Góbéfest has grown to become an international folk and culture festival, drawing from across the Carpathian Basin, Eastern and Central Europe and beyond.

The weekend promises an expertly curated outdoor mix of bands and solo artists, folk dance groups, choirs and more.Expect vibrant folk traditions from across Europe and beyond, and a rich mix of music, from lively fiddles, hints of jazz, Balkan rhythms and Gypsy sounds, to even a touch of operetta.

Manchester's central Cathedral Gardens will be transformed into a joyous pan-European melting pot.

Independent food and drink traders will be serving up favourites from around the Carpathian Basin and beyond. Expect giant simmering pans of goulash, the crème fraîche and cheese-topped fried flatbreads known as lángos and Transylvanian Hungarian chimney cakes, spit-roasted to order over a flaming barbecue, known as Kürtőskalács.

Alongside a craft beer stand, a pálinka bar will offer traditional flavours of Hungarian fruit brandy including plum and cherry, and a wine stall will happily educate visitors that there is more to Hungarian wine than the infamous Bull's Blood.

Free activities in the family tent include music and dance workshops, arts and crafts and storytelling.