At 6:00 p.m. on November 8 (local time), the Aranytíz Cultural Centre in Budapest was filled with gentle, harmonious music that resonated through every corner of the hall. It felt as though the calm nightscape of the Danube had been transformed into a beautiful symphony. At the heart of this evening was 2025 GMF in Hungary (Great Music Festival in Hungary 2025), a celebration dedicated to changing the world through the dreams and talents of musicians with developmental disabilities. The concert brought together “Parafónia Zenekar,” an orchestra of musicians with developmental disabilities based in Budapest; “Parapillék Zenekar,” established with the support of SK On Hungary in 2023; and “Vivace Ensemble” from Korea, which had traveled across continents to join the event.
Parapillék and Parafónia, both affiliated with the Hungarian Music Association for the Developmentally Disabled (A Zene Mindenkié Egyesület), and Korea’s Vivace Ensemble feature musicians with developmental disabilities who have found their own unique musical voices through the continued support of SK Innovation. Though they come from different countries and speak different languages, the musicians shared one common dream on stage — the dream of music that connects hearts beyond boundaries.
The first to take the stage was Parapillék, which delighted the audience with performances including Dvořák’s “Humoresque No. 7.” They were followed by the Parafónia Orchestra (Parafónia Zenekar), which presented both the second movement of Vivaldi’s Winter and the first movement of Autumn, as well as Johann Strauss’s “Radetzky March,” blending elegance with lively energy.
The final performance was given by the Vivace Ensemble, a violin and viola duo that won the Grand Prize at the 5th Great Music Festival (GMF). They began their set with “Sarabande,” a piece by Georg Friedrich Handel arranged by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen. The ensemble then performed pieces by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, specially prepared as a tribute to the Hungarian performers and audience. Finally, they presented the Korean folk song “Arirang” together with the Hungarian folk song “Tavaszi Szél Vizet Áraszt” (“Spring Wind Brings the Water”), which embodies the soul and culture of Hungary, earning warm applause and cheers from the audience.
The moment the first note filled the concert hall, every boundary seemed to fade away. The divisions between performers and audience, between people with and without disabilities, and between nations and languages all disappeared. The music that began at the musicians’ fingertips spread through the hall, and the audience responded with warm smiles and heartfelt applause. There were no special people or ordinary people. In that open space, only music remained.
The event was attended by around 200 participants, including executives from SK On Europe, officials from the Ministry of Interior of Hungary, representatives from the Hungarian Association for Music for the Intellectually Disabled (A Zene Mindenkié Egyesület) and the Hungarian Battery Association, as well as faculty members from Eötvös Loránd University, one of Hungary’s most prestigious universities. Also present were officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Hungary, the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, and the Korea Trade–Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), along with local residents from the Budapest community.
First launched by SK Innovation in 2017, GMF has grown into South Korea’s largest music festival for musicians with developmental disabilities. It began with the hope that musical performance could enhance social and interpersonal skills for people with developmental disabilities through sensory stimulation. What started as a program focused on care and therapy has since evolved into a journey of self-discovery, helping participants recognize their own dreams and talents while pursuing independence through challenge and achievement. Since its inception, GMF has welcomed 290 teams and more than 3,000 musicians to its stage. Through music, they have learned to express themselves and connect with the wider world. For many, it may have been a precious moment when their dreams came to life.
This year, GMF once again crossed borders and reached out to the world through music. In 2023, GMF in USA got underway in Atlanta, Georgia, and the following year the festival returned to Budapest for the second time, where SK On Europe is based. Through this event, GMF hoped to inspire the Hungarian community and to share the joy of a world where music removes boundaries and brings people together in harmony.
SK Innovation and SK On have continued their efforts to support the growth of musicians with developmental disabilities in Hungary. In 2023, the companies donated HUF 5 million (KRW 21.4 million) to the “Hungarian Music Association for the Developmentally Disabled,” and this year they provided an additional HUF 4.8 million (KRW 20.5 million). These contributions will help fund the purchase of instruments, music lessons, and the expansion of rehearsal spaces for local musicians with developmental disabilities. They also serve as a strong foundation that enables these musicians to nurture their dreams and express their music more freely.
In a congratulatory video message delivered that day, Kaderják Péter, President of the Hungarian Battery Association (HUBA), said, “I would like to thank SK On for organizing such a meaningful event that brings together people with developmental disabilities in Hungary. I hope SK On will continue to play a leading role in promoting the sustainable and healthy development of Hungary’s economy, society, and battery industry.”
Kim Se-jin, Head of SK On Hungary, said, “It was a meaningful occasion where we came together through music, transcending borders and language differences. We will continue our efforts to foster closer ties between Korea and Hungary—not only in economic cooperation but also through heartfelt communication.”
The true meaning of GMF lies not in viewing people with developmental disabilities merely as recipients of “care,” but in helping them grow into full and independent members of society. Some go on to study at art universities, others perform with orchestras, and some even take the stage on concert tours around the world. They once walked alongside others for support, but now they walk into the world shining with their own light. They say they hope their music can give strength to someone, somewhere, who may be struggling. That pure and beautiful wish becomes the heart of their melodies, and anyone who listens can feel it.
SK Innovation will continue to support the movement to break down boundaries through music, so that this beautiful change can reach farther and touch more hearts. As the saying goes, “Leave out preconception, and let music flow in your heart,” the company remains committed to connecting people and making the world a warmer place through the power of music. The journey of SK Innovation and GMF continues — today, and in the years to come.
