The Countdown Has Begun: EFOTT Kicks Off in Two Months

Hosted by Széchenyi István University, this year’s EFOTT (National Festival of University and College Students) will take place on the shores of Lake Velence from 9 to 13 July. At the press conference held on 8 May, organizers revealed numerous novelties, including the introduction of the “Educatio Summer” programme for high school students, the festival’s first-ever disco venue and techno music stage, as well as a significant price reduction — with festival-goers welcomed by exceptionally affordable beer prices.

During the press event, the organizers unveiled the new features and surprises awaiting attendees at EFOTT, which is just two months away. One thing is certain: visitors can expect carefree fun and a vibrant range of programmes. The university students’ festival will be held from 9 to 13 July along the shores of the scenic Lake Velence. The line-up features a host of popular acts including Valmar, ByeAlex és a Slepp, Carson Coma, Pogány Induló, beton.hofi, Krúbi, Desh, Lil Frakk, Wellhello, Follow the Flow, BSW, Halott Pénz, Dzsúdló, Blahalouisiana, Margaret Island, Punnany Massif, Irie Maffia, Moriones, and Bohemian Betyars. This year, the festival also celebrates the return of a major headliner: Tankcsapda will take the stage again after several years, with a surprise collaboration track with BSW. The event’s host institution will be Széchenyi István University of Győr.

The press conference featured key contributors to the EFOTT festival’s organization, all of whom expressed great excitement about the upcoming event.

“Next year, EFOTT will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Its core focus has always been on community — particularly student communities,” highlighted Dr Gábor Lasztovicza, Managing Director of EFOTT. He added that while the festival is centred around music and entertainment, daytime programming also plays a vital role. “This year, we have placed significant emphasis on developing the daytime venue, the ‘Univerzum,’ where we will offer nearly 600 programmes for university students during the festival. We aim to provide participants with experiences and opportunities that will serve them well into the future. Making the festival financially accessible to students was also a key priority — reflected in both ticket and onsite prices. While prices are rising everywhere else, we’ve reduced them: most products will be available at half of last year’s prices, and a glass of beer will cost just 790 forints.”

Among the new features announced, this year’s EFOTT will include a dedicated disco area for the first time, playing hits from the 1990s and 2000s on weekend nights. Additionally, techno music will make its debut on the festival’s programme. The festival’s Career Zone is also being renewed, with 20 to 30 companies participating this year, showcasing their strengths and employment opportunities.

Babaitisz Jorgosz Andreasz (Lil Frakk), a popular performer and, for the second consecutive year, EFOTT ambassador, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s an honour to be an ambassador again. I really enjoy taking part in the creative process — it’s amazing to experience what real festival organizing is like. I’m fully committed to bringing my energy to every aspect of it. We’ll be going all out this year too!”

Representing the host university, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, commented: “We see it as a tremendous opportunity that our institution can host this year’s EFOTT, allowing us to present who we are to a broader audience. Like EFOTT, we value student communities highly and prioritize their goals and needs. During the festival’s daytime programmes, we will showcase numerous initiatives that highlight cutting-edge technologies and innovation.”

Marcell Eszterhai, President of the National Union of Students’ Governments (HÖOK), emphasized the importance of reinforcing university communities. He noted that EFOTT stands apart from other festivals by specifically targeting university students and tailoring programmes to their interests. “We hope that every student gets the chance to attend EFOTT at least once in their university life. We’re doing everything we can to provide them with the right conditions — both financially and programme-wise.”

Dr Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, noted that EFOTT speaks not only to current students but to a broader community of millions, as anyone who once studied at university remains connected to that identity. He emphasized the benefits of Hungary’s renewed higher education system and highlighted that holding a degree boosts salaries by approximately 1.5 times. He also announced a new addition to EFOTT this year: “For the first time, EFOTT will feature the ‘Educatio Summer’ programme, aimed at high school students. Its goal is to invite them to the festival and introduce them to their future educational and career opportunities up close.”

Among EFOTT’s key sponsors is CIB Bank. Kristóf Bán, Head of Retail Segment Management at CIB Bank, shared the bank’s vision: "Our vision is to be present in the minds of young Hungarians when they are choosing a financial partner or discussing financial matters. A key milestone in this effort is our strategic collaboration with HÖOK and our presence at EFOTT. This is an outstanding opportunity to step outside the conventional banking space and engage with young people in their own environment, making our work as a bank tangible. We’ve also launched a dedicated marketing campaign and promotion for potential new clients, offering a free EFOTT pass with new account openings.”

EFOTT 2025 aims to make the festival’s music and programmes even more exciting and diverse, and to offer meaningful connections for the university student community. All the innovations introduced this year are designed to better serve students’ interests and needs, and to make university life even more attractive to young people.

Snapshot from last year’s EFOTT — the 2025 edition promises to be another unforgettable experience for all attendees. (Photo: András Adorján / Széchenyi István University)