10 years of strangers becoming family

The story behind the Fam.

The Festival Family started as a simple answer to a lonely festival problem: nobody should have to stand alone in a crowd of thousands. What began as a Facebook group and a WhatsApp chat became a movement — thanks to two people who refused to let solo travelers feel alone.

From a bridge to a family

A lonely festival problem became a community tradition.

How it started

Every year at Sziget, the same faces kept showing up at the same spot. Solo travelers from different countries realized they were less alone when they chose to meet each other.

Salvatore “Ture Pappa” Pappalardo founded the Facebook group and WhatsApp chat that became Your Festival Family. Not because he wanted to build a brand — because he wanted connection. Radical self-expression. A place where solo festival-goers could cross that bridge, let everything go, and be truly themselves.

Then Misha van Haaren joined. And everything changed.

What started as a small chat became a movement. Misha’s energy, organization and heart turned the Fam from a nice group into a recognized force. Sziget noticed. They gave the Fam grand prizes. Multiple years running. Thanks to Misha, the Fam became acknowledged by Sziget itself — and the daily meets, beerpong tournaments, scavenger hunts and the 9-day takeover that makes Sziget week feel like coming home all followed.

What grew from it

A WhatsApp group that became a family

A Facebook community spanning countries

Telegram, Discord and Radiate spaces

Sziget recognition + grand prizes + Base Camp

What makes it real

The Fam is not a company, a hostel or a party brand. It is a community held together by people who show up for each other.

Kindness first

The culture only works when people make space for newcomers and protect the vibe.

Real names

Approval and real names help people feel safer before they ever arrive.

Shared traditions

Flags, daily meets, games and group photos turn strangers into familiar faces.

Recognized by Sziget

Being acknowledged by Sziget means the Fam is trusted, respected, and here to stay.

The feeling

Not a product. Not a brand. Strangers who became each other’s people.

It started as a place to meet people. It became the reason I come back.

— April Mislan

You can be shy here and still be included.

— Panna Nagy

The Fam feels like home before you even arrive.

— Clari Moessinger

The Family has been the best part of every single festival. I always know I have a home base, a group of people who will have my back no matter what.

Jamie O'Sullivan

Fam Member

Want to be part of the story?

If you are a solo traveler looking for people, this is your invitation.