Sárospatak to host the world's first bagpipe competition

The world's first bagpipe competition, titled the Rákóczi 350 Carpathian Basin Bagpipe Competition, will take place in Sárospatak, Hungary, from October 26 to 28, 2026. Organized by the National Bagpipe Institute Foundation and hosted by the Sárospatak Reformed Theological University, the event commemorates the 350th anniversary of the birth of Francis II Rákóczi.

More than 30 participants from five continents are expected to compete across five age groups, preparing over 130 musical pieces. Musicians will travel from Hungary, the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Romania. The competition aims to preserve musical traditions, support young talent, and promote the instrument internationally through works ranging from the Kuruc era to contemporary compositions.

The total prize pool is nearly nine million forints. Winners in each category will receive a bagpipe as a grand prize, while second and third-place finishers will receive instrument vouchers worth 300,000 and 150,000 forints, respectively. The event will also feature the exhibition of two century-old instruments crafted by János Stowasser and József Vencel Schunda.