The week-long SUN Festival, renowned for its tranquility and spiritual rejuvenation, took place in mid-July. Our foundation also played a significant role in ensuring the program’s success, so in addition to providing spiritual support, we also emphasized the importance of the principle „a healthy mind in a healthy body” through our free food distribution.

Thanks to the SUN Festival, Bercel once again became an “island of peace” for a week. The fairytale-like setting was made truly enchanting by the brilliant sunshine that accompanied the event throughout, which the storm that arrived on Saturday only made even more picturesque. This festival isn’t fenced in; the nearest village is kilometers away, and the participants collectively shape the civilization and set of norms here. While at an average festival people are either partying or drinking in the tent city, here there are plenty of other options—and they’re not just for show; people actually take advantage of them: you can go on hikes, do yoga, attend discussions on all kinds of spiritual topics, find reading and game corners, and there’s a separate area reserved for children.

This summer, the familiar positive atmosphere attracted not only new visitors but also enthusiastic returning guests. Joining the event, our Foundation—as part of the Pizza Effect grant program—welcomed those seeking rejuvenation with lectures, cultural programs, and traditional Indian temple dance and music performances. Our food tent was open every day of the week to young festivalgoers, where they could satisfy their hunger with a nutritious, hot vegetarian one-dish meal as well as fruit, and quench their thirst with rosewater lemonade. Our vegan dishes were also a huge hit, with enthusiastic participants lining up repeatedly in the hope of getting a generous second helping.

Participants came from all over the world; some came alone, but many were accompanied by small children or their four-legged companions, since pets were also entitled to the experience of „relaxation.” Those who came here strive to live according to a unique philosophy of life, in which Far Eastern teachings, environmental awareness, and self-discovery play a significant role. In light of this, attendees could listen to lectures on the beneficial effects of medicinal herbs, but the frequent appearance of works of fine art, the couple leading a yoga demonstration, the meditation groups, the frequent appearance of percussion instruments, incense and parasols, the Indian symbols encountered at every turn, and the healthy beverages—all pointed in one direction: toward spiritual peace and a healthy lifestyle.

Volunteers from our Pizza Effect program also took part in the SUN Festival’s eco-campaign. In addition to our free food distribution, we sought to convey a positive message and as well as an alternative—a nonviolent, more environmentally conscious lifestyle—and a respect and appreciation for one another and our environment.