Balkan Union, Bokros - Days of Celebration

The musicians of Balkan Union and Bokros invite you to celebrate with them at Fonó on November 21, 2026.

There is plenty to celebrate! Balkan Union recently released their album Pilgrimage, which they will be presenting at Fonó for the very first time.

Bokros will soon release Vasárnap (Sunday), an album featuring music created over the past few years, published by Fonó.

This year marks Bokros's 30th anniversary, and it was exactly 30 years ago that their first album was released by Fonó.

And while we're celebrating birthdays, several members of Bokros are also marking milestone anniversaries:

Misi Borbély is turning 70! Ádi Pecze is the same age as Bokros itself. Mika Heinczinger is exactly as much older than Ádi as he is younger than Misi.

For us, it is also a celebration that these two bands get to share the stage at Fonó on this special day.

Come and celebrate with us!

Bokros - A phenomenon, a tradition, a joy

Bokros is a fascinating contemporary and world music ensemble rooted in folk music. This creative community is characterized by its unusual instruments and distinctive sound. Its sophisticated, intellectually rich musical world comes to life in dynamic performances that appeal to audiences of all ages. While the combination of two hurdy-gurdies and a koboz creating such a unique sound is not unheard of on the international world music scene, it is unusual in Hungary. Wind instruments and percussion further enrich the ensemble's sound. The musicians chose the name Bokros not only to pay tribute to the tradition-preserving masters of the small village of Bokros in Csongrád County, but also because, alongside their everyday commitments, they love making music together in high spirits! The band's music reaches far beyond genre boundaries: alongside its folk music foundations, it embraces improvisational world music and elements infused with contemporary ideas. Bokros's musical vision is shaped by Béla Szerényi, while the harmony between some of Hungary's finest musicians and emerging young talents gives the ensemble its distinctive character.

Members of Bokros:

András Balázs Barabás - koboz, Irish bouzouki, vocals
Mihály Borbély (Vujicsics, Borbély Quartet) - saxophone, tárogató, clarinet, viola-tambura
Ákos Kertész (Balkan Union) - percussion
Miklós Heinczinger (Misztrál) - vocals, guitar, recorder
Ádám Pecze (Emingo) - synthesizer, vocals
Béla Szerényi - hurdy-gurdy, vocals
Domokos Szerényi - hurdy-gurdy

Balkan Union - A unique world music experience in a modern guise

A journey through the Balkans, where soul, passion, and tradition come together, and different landscapes and cultures meet to create a shared, unified language based on the similarities that connect us all.

Members of the band:

Branka Básits - vocals
Csaba Tóth Bagi - guitar, vocals
Balázs Cserta - saxophone, clarinet, recorder
Ákos Kertész - drums and percussion
László Máthé - bass guitar

Balkan Union is an energetic, innovative band that reimagines the traditions of Balkan folk music through fresh sounds, contemporary rhythms, jazz improvisation, and world music fusion. Their music speaks to audiences across generations, combining a deep respect for tradition with the courage to shape its future. Thanks to their new line-up, the band's sound is more powerful, emotionally charged, and relevant than ever, ready to captivate audiences on festival and club stages around the world.

At the heart and helm of the band is guitarist and vocalist Csaba Tóth Bagi, whose playing transcends genre boundaries. His deeply expressive, distinctive voice and virtuoso guitar playing draw on the musical heritage of the former Yugoslavia, enriched by his classical music training in Hungary. His sound has been shaped by Balkan rhythms and collaborations with great musicians such as jazz legend Al Di Meola, with whom he toured internationally for many years.

Alongside Csaba, four exceptional musicians give Balkan Union its fresh identity:

Branka Básits brings the heart and soul of the vocal traditions of the Balkans and Eastern Europe through her distinctive voice and deeply emotional singing. Her voice evokes the magic of the past while carrying the energy of the present.

Balázs Cserta is a versatile instrumentalist who combines the rich melodic world of pastoral traditions with sophisticated jazz and world music textures.

Ákos Kertész, a founding member of the band, shapes its rhythmic world with both subtle sensitivity and elemental force. László Máthé is a master of intricate rhythms and emotionally charged grooves, providing the band with its deep, unwavering foundation.

Ticket price: HUF 3,000 in advance, HUF 3,500 on the day of the event