MCC Feszt Returns as a Hub of Ideas – The Fifth Edition Kicks Off in Esztergom

More than 300 speakers, including around 100 international experts. Over 100 professional lectures, 60 musical performances, and 100 exhibitors. For the fifth time, MCC has launched its flagship festival in Esztergom.

From the very first day, thousands of attendees joined the programs of MCC Feszt. Opening day featured lectures by Patrick Deneen, professor at the University of Notre Dame, and bestselling author Douglas Murray. Musical headliners included Ákos and R-Go.

"MCC Feszt has become an intellectual point of reference," said Zoltán Szalai, Director General of MCC, at the festival’s official opening in the packed Széchenyi Square. He emphasized that combining intellectual, cultural, and public life content with high-quality Hungarian pop music is not only possible but vital.

Mayor Ádám Hernádi called MCC Feszt a new tradition for Esztergom, more than just a music festival: a forum for debate, ideas, and meaningful encounters. He expressed the city’s readiness to extend its partnership with MCC for another five years.

MP Gábor Erős highlighted the importance of tradition, noting that Esztergom — one of Hungary’s oldest cities and a cradle of Christianity — is a fitting location for such an event.

The first major panel, “Beyond Liberalism: Reclaiming Politics in Service of the National Interest,” addressed the European Union’s current trajectory. Speakers warned of a crisis in Brussels’ approach to power, foreign relations, and strategic autonomy.

Balázs Orbán, Political Director to the Prime Minister, argued that more centralized power in Brussels has failed to solve international problems. Europe, he said, lacks real strategic autonomy and must strike a balance between alliances and asserting its own interests.

Dr. James Orr, a lecturer in the philosophy of religion at the University of Cambridge, praised Hungary not just for its history but also for its achievements. Patrick Deneen added that Hungary’s historical hardships have forged a resilient and successful nation that even the U.S. could learn from.

In a conversation with Boris Kálnoky, Head of MCC’s School of Media, renowned author and commentator Douglas Murray criticized Western European migration policies. He noted that citizens in France and Germany now live in a constant state of alert due to the consequences of mass immigration, while Hungary, though facing its own economic challenges, made wise decisions that position it well to face the 21st century.

In the panel “The World of Work and Its Future,” top leaders from MOL, the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, WHC Group, and higher education institutions shared insights into Hungary’s labor market. They agreed that adaptability, continuous learning, and specialization will be key, highlighting the urgent need to modernize education.

A separate discussion on innovation revealed that while Hungary has no shortage of ideas, implementation remains the challenge. László Palkovics, state commissioner for AI, emphasized that innovation is a planned process — ideas must become intellectual property and follow a consistent development path. Éva Hegedűs, CEO of Gránit Bank, added that innovation requires knowledge and experience, and must draw on internal resources. Businessman Elek Nagy encouraged students to develop complex thinking and teamwork, urging persistence and gradual progress.

The panel “At the Forefront of National Policy” brought together eight speakers discussing the role of Hungarian youth abroad. Participants agreed that these young people are not only inheritors of national struggles but active shapers of the future. Despite challenges like war, economic uncertainty, and minority rights violations, communities across the Carpathian Basin remain vibrant and forward-looking. A united, attentive Hungarian network forms the true frontline of national policy.

An especially thought-provoking discussion took place around Latin American drug trafficking, inspired by the series Narcos. Historian Árpád Rácz and university lecturer András T. Lénárt warned against the romanticization of drug use in media. In reality, they said, drug trafficking results in addiction, family breakdowns, death, and widespread societal damage — making it not just a criminal issue, but a deeply rooted social, economic, and geopolitical challenge.

The Edu Promenade, home to over 100 exhibitors, showcases MCC’s schools, programs, institutes, partners, and sponsors. Visitors can take part in interactive activities, games, and professional discussions throughout the day — making it a key meeting point for both families and festivalgoers.

Day one featured a diverse musical lineup, from classics to crowd favorites. Ákos, Szikora Robi, and Ismerős Arcok took the stage, while the Folk Tent hosted live traditional music and dance. Late into the night, top Hungarian DJs kept the energy high.