When the city begins to connect – collaborations, communities, and new directions at the BUM Social Connect event.

The event was opened by Attila Antal, who emphasized the role of cooperation and community thinking in the development of urban commerce and local businesses in his greeting. During the professional block, Gabriella Király presented the directions of the BUM Workshop Festival and SlowXmas this year, as well as the next steps for national opening.

One important idea from the presentation was that the programs of the Shopping Street Management are no longer just events, but urban connection platforms that simultaneously support local businesses, community building, and a more livable urban operation.

In connection with the BUM Workshop Festival, it was noted that one of the most important experiences from last year's series of nearly fifty workshops at thirty locations was: "participants did not come to consume, but to take part in something." The diversity of workshops—from crafts to gastronomy, movement, and mental health programs—demonstrated that urban spaces truly come alive when people can actively connect with them.

It was highlighted as a major announcement that this year Sopron and Miskolc are also joining the Workshop Festival, while the SlowXmas Advent period will continue with a stronger rural presence. In addition to Miskolc, which already partially joined last year, Sopron will also participate in this year's Advent collaboration, further strengthening the professional and cultural networking between cities.

Regarding SlowXmas, the presentation highlighted that Advent becomes truly memorable when experiences, human connections, and local values come to the forefront. The program has now turned into an urban model that serves community experiences, cultural value creation, and support for small businesses simultaneously.

The professional program was closed by the acoustic music performance of Anna Illés Franny, which created a special atmosphere in the space of the Buda Collection. The program, consisting of two Hungarian and two English songs, subtly connected to the community and cultural atmosphere of the event while fitting well into the open, urban cultural world of the Hello Margit! Festival taking place simultaneously in the Margaret Quarter.

Although the event did not have a full house, the participants stayed for a long time, networking conversations continued until late afternoon, and several new connections and future cooperation opportunities emerged. BUM Social Connect proved once again that smaller, more personal professional gatherings often create deeper and more lasting connections than larger events.

Thank you for thinking together. Thanks to MyChoccy and Don't Waste! for enhancing the atmosphere of the gathering with their delicacies and contributing to the community experience of the afternoon.

The event took place within the framework of VFP3 with the support of MKIK.