Over 500 Hungarian citera (Hungarian folk zither) players will gather on May 30 in the Lion Courtyard of Buda Castle to attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest citera ensemble. The event pays tribute to the instrument and Hungarian folk music traditions while showcasing the power of communal music-making, the organisers said.
The initiative follows a 2024 Hungarian record when 201 citera players performed together. This year’s attempt aims to surpass that and set a global benchmark. The ensemble will perform traditional folk music from the Szatmar region, with the musical arrangements released in January to allow participants from Hungary and abroad months to prepare. Éva Nauner-Agárdi will conduct the performance.
Players will travel from across Hungary and Hungarian communities beyond the borders, including Transylvania, the uplands of Slovakia, the Muravidék region, and Transcarpathia, representing over 80 settlements. The oldest participant will be 87. The free public event begins with a final rehearsal at 3pm, followed by the record attempt at 4pm, the MTI wrote.
The day-long programme also features concerts by Dániel Gryllus, Örs Tuba and his band, the Duvo Band, and the Pannonia Citera Orchestra, as well as instrument demonstrations for children. With the Guinness World Records’ social media platforms boasting tens of millions of followers, the event is expected to attract global attention.
As Budapest hosts the Champions League final on the same day, the musicians will also perform a special arrangement of the competition’s anthem, reimagined for traditional Hungarian instruments such as the tarogato, cimbalom, and violin. The event is organised by Tímea Trencsényi, artistic director of the Rétközi Youth and Cultural Association.
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