On 21 July 2025, Budapest’s iconic Vajdahunyad Castle provided the spectacular setting for a summer open-air concert by the Pannon Cigányzenekar. Organised by the orchestra itself, the event had already sold out several days in advance.

For this special evening, the Pannon Cigányzenekar took to the stage with 34 musicians, presenting the full power and richness of its large orchestral sound. The orchestra was led by primás Károly Puka, with special guest appearances by Károly Vadász, Liszt Prize-winning cimbalom artist, and Anita Masa and Tamás Masa of the Sabbathsong Klezmer Orchestra.

One of the highlights of the evening was the virtuoso musical dialogue between Károly Puka and cellist Károly Horváth in Monti’s Csárdás, which was greeted with a standing ovation.

Originally planned as a two-hour concert, the performance continued well beyond its scheduled ending as the enthusiastic audience repeatedly called the orchestra back for encores.

The historic surroundings, the warm summer evening and the monumental sound of the large Gypsy orchestra came together in a memorable celebration of the living tradition of Hungarian Gypsy music.