The Story Behind the Budapest–Belgrade Railway Project Theme Song

Large infrastructure projects are often defined by engineering milestones, but they are also shaped by the people and cultures that come together to build them. During the construction of the Budapest–Belgrade Railway in Hungary, the project team explored ways to reflect this human side of international cooperation. One of the most memorable initiatives was the creation of a theme song inspired by the experiences of the Chinese and Hungarian teams working side by side.

The idea first emerged in 2024 during internal discussions about cultural exchange within the project. Budapest’s rich musical heritage and the reputation of the Liszt Academy of Music provided a natural inspiration. The project team envisioned a musical piece that could capture the shared efforts, everyday moments and mutual understanding that had grown between colleagues from different countries throughout the construction process.

The song, titled “Together We Build the Dream,” was developed through a collaboration between Hungarian and Chinese contributors. Hungarian lyricist Szabolcs Hujber and Chinese student Anqi Lai worked on the lyrics in Hungarian and Chinese, drawing inspiration from real stories from the construction site. The music was composed by Hungarian composer Gábor Jancsó, who combined Western orchestral elements with subtle touches of traditional Chinese instrumentation, creating a sound that reflects both cultures.

The song was recorded by professional singers and members of the project team and premiered on 8 July 2025 during the Budapest–Belgrade Railway Cultural Integration Midsummer Gala in Budapest. Looking back today, the project theme song stands as a unique cultural expression of the cooperation behind the railway — a reminder that infrastructure projects are not only about tracks and stations, but also about the people and partnerships that make them possible.

Text: Guo Xusheng； Photo: Pan Xiaohao