The Carpathian Basin Classical Music Festival has been created with the intention of forming a tradition. Its aim is to present the diverse musical culture and artistic activity of the peoples living in the Carpathian Basin, to reinforce their collaboration in the field of music, and to discover and support young talents.

It cannot be emphasized enough how noble the force of music is in the community of peoples in the Carpathian Basin, showing the world the hard work and greatness that the composers, performers, musicologists and creative communities born here put into the creation of culture.

It is our belief that music penetrates even those walls that at first seem to be impenetrable, it brings people, communities, and cultures closer to one another, with fertile power it builds and nurtures the unparalleled culture of the Carpathian Basin, it brings traditions resoundingly to life, with overflowing beauty it smooths over misunderstandings, and in place of unrest it brings peace, collaboration, a belief in the eternal Good, and solace.

One special aspect of the festival is that the concerts are on consecutive days but in different cities and towns in the Carpathian Basin: Budapest, Miskolc, Debrecen, Subotica, Bratislava, Uzhhorod, and Cluj-Napoca.

As part of the festival we are holding masterclasses in Bratislava and Subotica, a musicology conference in Debrecen, and we are holding the Carpathian Basin International Piano Competition in Budapest.

The planners and founders of the Carpathian Basin Classical Music Festival are: pianist Apolka Bonnyai and her husband, Dr. István Bajkai, member of parliament.