Red Carpet Show

In a unique way in Europe, a show reminiscent of Hollywood, the Red Carpet, will be held on January 07 in the square in front of the Capital Circus of Budapest, where the world-famous artists of the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival will take part in a ceremonial setting.

The show is directed by a multiple Guinness record holder and worthy artists, the Rippel Brothers!

„TÜNDÉRHON” – THE FAIRY CIRCUS

The Baross Imre Academy of Circus and Performing Arts presents a truly special creation for the festival’s Newcomer programme. Directed by Gábor Dénes Kovács, Tündérhon – The Fairy Circus is inspired by one of the masterpieces of Hungarian Romantic drama: Mihály Vörösmarty’s Csongor and Tünde. In a dreamlike landscape, fl esh-and-blood heroes cross paths with fairy-like beings who seem to step beyond the usual physical limits of human existence. Told in two 50-minute acts, the production draws on the full expressive range of contemporary circus, enriched by the music and movement of Hungarian folk traditions. Through this blend of disciplines, the show gently leads us back to the great questions at the heart of the original poetic work. What values guide a human life? What choices, temptations and trials await the travellers on the roads of Night, Dawn and Noon? And what wonders are promised by the golden apple tree planted by the fairies? Rather than answering in words, the performance responds through images, movement and emotion. Forty young artists of the Academy – many of whom are already building international careers – bring this fairy-world to life for the professional audience of the Budapest International Circus Festival.

Richárd Zsilák

Richárd Zsilák is a fourth-generation circus artist carrying forward a family legacy of world-class performance. The grandson of internationally celebrated jugglers Suzi and Fudi, Richárd learned the art of juggling from his grandfather (György Zsilák) and mother (Viktória Zsilák, inheriting both their technique and their passion for live entertainment.

Erika Lapis

She is a Hungarian actress and recipient of the Jászai Mari Award. She pursued her studies at the the University of Theatre and Film Arts. By steadily building her studies and then her career, she has become a defi ning fi gure in the Hungarian theatre scene. She has performed at the Csokonai Theatre in Debrecen, the Madách Theatre, in Békéscsaba, Dunaújváros, Tatabánya, and on numerous other Hungarian stages. She has also appeared in highly successful productions such as King Lear, Man of La Mancha, and The Attic (A padlás). The audience of the Capital Circus of Budapest first saw her in the circus ring in the Christmas production Mother Holle, where she portrayed the character of the Mother.

The application deadline closed on August 26, 2025, and the organizing committee is currently reviewing all submitted acts.

Following the evaluation process, our team will contact the selected artists directly.
We look forward to seeing you in 2028.

CLASSICAL CIRCUS PERFORMANCES, OFFICIAL COMPETITION PROGRAM

• Állatkerti krt. 12/a Budapest 1146
• +36 1 343 83 00
• festival@circus.hu