Zalakaros got something new this year: an afternoon of graffiti, hip-hop and special street performances. Péter Nagy, the festival's brainchild and organiser, explained how an old idea and a friendly splash turned into a groundbreaking, spectacular event that brings the real face of street art closer to the public.

Where did the idea for the festival come from?

The idea comes from a bit older... there is an event called Street Music Festival which Zalakaros hosted years ago. There was an attempt to organise it this year, but due to some obstacles and lack of funds, it was cancelled, so I started thinking that we should think of something of our own, how can we do it in a different and interesting way? After a bit of splashing around, the ideas came:

• what have I seen on the streets during my travels? 
• how can we put this together in a way that is spectacular and understandable for everyone, astonishing and a bit different from the traditional band and band theme.

What is the theme and concept?

The idea was not just to include music, I wanted to show the work of people (I think artists) hammering on the street, but unfortunately time and finances didn't allow me to show the full range (BUT FUTURE). I've always liked graffiti, hip-hop is also close to my heart (thanks to childhood memories) so I started looking around, but was soon informed that I wouldn't be able to put it together in this form alone. Bálint Sági, who has organised a similar event and is very knowledgeable in this world, wrote to me saying that he would be happy to help me get some people together who could maybe make it work.

We wanted this to be an afternoon to bring people closer to this lifestyle, to show them, for example, that graffiti is not just about vandalising train carriages and that the 'street' is also capable of artistic, enjoyable things that can easily be part of a festival. - says Peter

What new things did you have in store for visitors?

In fact, the whole movement in this form is a novelty. Here in Zalakaros, this type of music, style and art has not really been present at our events so far.

What were the programmes and performers?

We brought together some excellent graffiti artists who painted from afternoon until late at night, and you could go up to them and talk to them and ask questions. In Nagykanizsa there is a company called Kanizsai Youth Community who presented some hip-hop figures. Unfortunately, to my heartache, the Break dance was left out.

Rk Nari was playing music throughout the whole event, almost as a host, which suited him very well, waiting for someone braver to come up and freestyle rap something. The live music line-up was represented by Brass Bananas, in a great atmosphere.

Live painting

Contributing artists were CsM, Mejo, Rawman, Time, who brought their own unique style to the festival space. For painting, we provided OSB boards for the guys who used Base Store Spray paints.

How much interest was there?

Unfortunately, the weather was a bit drizzly and overcast during the festival, but despite this, almost a thousand people visited the square from afternoon to evening.

Can we expect the festival next year?

Of course, we're thinking about a much larger scale next year, for which ideas are already being sketched out, but anyone who would like to get involved is welcome.

The Street Art Festival of the Karos Korzó Entertainment and Events Centre was established in the heart of Zalakaros.