13. August 2008.

A three-week long cultural cavalcade concluded on August 10th, with the performance of the rock opera István, a Király (Stephen, the King), in Herend. The significant festival that made its debut this year offered programmes for every generation and to fans of all kinds; in addition, there were truly exclusive productions to see. The venue of the main programmes was also magical! Visitors in Herend have been for years marvelling at the Porcelanium Visitor Centre and other facilities of the Manufactory, including its splendid environs. For these three weeks the organisers have erected a stage onto the lake situated 5 minutes from the facilities. The Tószínpad (Lake Stage), and the wonderful natural environment surrounding it have conjured a magical atmosphere for the concerts that cannot be replicated. Even though the weather was not gracious to the organisers, Herend festival goers will be able to recall for a long time the concert of Bikini, the musical magic of Shannon.hu, the invincible quartet performance of Pierrot, or even the lakeside Reggae-dance party of Ladánybene 27. In addition to the concerts, theatre performances, a dance assemble and theme days have transformed the event into a diverse occasion. During the three weeks over 100 productions and more than a thousand performers were guests of Herend, of the Festival. Many bands and orchestras have not yet visited the home of the world famous porcelain in Bakony, and many of them have expressed their appreciation, having learned the secrets of manufacturing handcrafted porcelain.

By supporting and hosting the Festival, Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt. is proud that the greats of Hungarian pop music and cultural life have rendezvoused in Herend. The company considers it important and an example to be followed that the organisers of the Festival have also given opportunities to up and coming talents by way of a musical group competition, the prizes of which were offered by the Manufactory. In addition to its support, it also supplemented the weekend programmes with its own attractions. Each weekend day awaited visitors with extended business hours, body painting and nail decoration, and Apicius Kávéház (Apicius Café) also hosted ancillary events. There were delicious Tokaj wines to be tasted, the performance of a guitar artist, a Flamenco evening to join, and the literary evening of actor Péter Háromszéki.

On the evening of August 10th, there was a performance of songs – a few metres from the location where one of the most well known Hungarian luxury brands is manufactured – that mean a great deal to every Hungarian: the eternally meaningful chords of the rock opera István, a Király (Stephen, the King), celebrating its 25th birthday, followed by the Hungarian national anthem at the end of the performance.

It is a cliché that starting out is always difficult, and only a very hard road leads to the top. A merchant from Tata, however, 170 years ago, still managed to get there. Other than himself perhaps nobody had any hope, and today in nearly every nation in the world “Herend” is a respected name. May it be so – and may the festival organisers also have a similar perseverance – in the case of the Herend Summer Festival.

Herend is a special place. It is the birthplace of porcelain magic, the small town of ancient secrets, the home of the most well known uniquely Hungarian product. Lajos Nagy D., the frontman of Bikini, concluded his concert with the following words at the Festival: “See you all next year! There are some lakes in Hungary that are bigger than this one - Balaton, Tisza-tó (Tisza Lake), Velencei-tó (Velencei Lake) - but none of them have a Lake Stage, only here, in Herend!"

Let his words be ones of admiration on the one hand, and a prediction for the future.

Herend is now a special place with many faces.