Debrecen4U
March 16, 2026
Commemorations in Debrecen on the 178th anniversary of the Revolution of 15 March 1848
The series of commemorative events marking the 1848 Revolution began in Kossuth Square with the raising of Hungary’s national flag accompanied by military honours, in the presence of Mayor László Papp and Deputy Mayor István Puskás on 15 March 2026 in Debrecen.
The events then continued in Petőfi Square, at the statue of poet and revolutionary Sándor Petőfi. A commemorative programme entitled “We Swear…” was presented by the actor-musicians of the Csokonai National Theatre, members of Bérletszünet. After the ceremonial performance, wreaths were laid at the base of the statue by representatives of municipal and state institutions, armed forces, political parties and civil organisations.
At the end of the event, the now traditional march set off from Petőfi Square to Kossuth Square. The procession was accompanied by the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, the Főnix Children’s and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble, the Pipás Band, the Alföld Stage, the Arts Centre of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Debrecen, and drama students from the Debrecen Ady Endre Secondary School. During the march, those gathered could watch performances and dance presentations by students of the Arts Centre of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Debrecen together with the Alföld Stage in front of the County Hall and from the building’s balcony, while students of the Ady Endre Secondary School performed at the City Hall.
Those arriving in Kossuth Square were welcomed by a flash mob, after which the ceremonial programme entitled “Freedom Is the God of My Soul’” was presented. Performers included the Debrecen Garrison Band, Lóri Heit and his band, and artists of the Csokonai National Theatre – actors Eszter Balázs-Bécsi, Zsolt Dánielfy, István Papp, Klári Varga, and opera singer Norbert Antóni. The programme was compiled by Ákos Kukovecz.
Following this, Mayor László Papp of Debrecen delivered his festive speech:
“The homeland is in danger!” – said Lajos Kossuth in Pozsony on 11 July 1848 in the Hungarian Parliament. This sentence was not only addressed to a historical moment but was also a warning for every generation: the homeland is in danger when its freedom is in danger. Freedom is not enough to win – it must also be preserved.
For every Hungarian, 15 March is more than a historical anniversary. For 178 years this day has been the birthday of Hungarian freedom. It is the celebration of courage, faith and national self-determination. It is the day when a nation declared that it wished to decide its own fate, setting us on a historical path from which we have never departed when it comes to our freedom and sovereignty. However difficult the periods our nation faces, Hungarians remain committed to this, and I am convinced they always will: Let there be peace, freedom and unity!
15 March is a day in Hungarian history whose heroes, locations and symbols instantly come together as a shared memory in every Hungarian heart. Pilvax Café, Sándor Petőfi, National Song, the liberation of Mihály Táncsics, the Landerer printing house, the Twelve Points, the cockade – all concepts and names that evoke a single shared feeling: the desire for, respect for and love of Hungarian freedom and sovereignty.
Whenever these names are spoken – whether here in Debrecen’s main square or anywhere in the world – every Hungarian thinks of the same thing. Of the day when the soul of the nation was liberated at once, when the desire for freedom simultaneously became word, action and history.
This is why we gather year after year on this day. Not only to recall the events of history, but to strengthen within ourselves everything that keeps the Hungarian desire for freedom alive: love of homeland, respect for freedom and faith in the power of community.
Every 15 March the freedom of Hungary triumphs again and again over tyranny, and again and again we reaffirm our belief that no external power will ever be able to impose its will upon us, and that we will be capable of resistance even when empires stand against us.
When we commemorate historical anniversaries, we are not merely recalling the past. We are holding a mirror up to ourselves. In the events of the past we search for answers to our own questions: do we safeguard sufficiently the love of freedom and homeland that our predecessors possessed? Where are we heading, and what do the historical actions of our nation teach us, their later descendants? What do we carry forward, and what are we prepared to represent consistently in the present?
History sometimes repeats itself, but it always teaches. It teaches that change only creates a future when it has a crystal-clear purpose; when it brings order in place of chaos, not the other way round; when it builds and strengthens the nation, rather than undermining it. For this we need leaders like Bocskai, Rákóczi and Kossuth – leaders with clear values, vision and determination, not value-less weathercocks.
The revolution that unfolded on 15 March 1848 did not arise from nothing. It was preceded by the long struggles and debates of the Reform Era’s great figures, and by a yearning for freedom inflamed by the inhumanity of oppressive power. Freedom was therefore not the gift of a single day – but the fruit of generations of effort. And Debrecen understood this.
When news of the events in Pest reached the civic city, its citizens did not remain idle. The students of the College – strong in faith, hungry for knowledge and rebellious in spirit – stepped forward with their own demands. They wanted to take part in the National Guard. They demanded a voice in their own affairs. They wanted freedom together with the responsibility that comes with it. This is the spirit of Debrecen.
This city was not only a witness to history – it was also a shaper of it. It is no coincidence that in 1849 the heart of the country beat here. It was here that we proclaimed to the world the dethronement of the House of Habsburg within the walls of the Great Reformed Church of Debrecen, and from here the military operations of the most hopeful period of the War of Independence – the Spring Campaign – were directed. It was then that Debrecen became, for all time, the guardian city of Hungarian freedom.
But the title of guardian city is not merely an honour; it is above all a responsibility. A responsibility to defend Hungarian freedom and national values, and to preserve our self-determination. A responsibility not to confuse meaningless noise with history, or fervour with truth.
According to Zsigmond Móricz, the people of Debrecen carry within them a spirit of self-respect, confidence and responsibility. If this strength were to extend across the entire nation, he wrote, there would be no need to fear for the future of the Hungarian people. Yet history consists not only of victories, but also of wounds. And we have had plenty: Muhi, Mohács, Világos, Trianon. And yet we are still here.
Of course, we have had not only wounds but also traitors – there have always been cowardly figures, Mihály Károlyis, who sought power without ability, knowledge or responsibility and ultimately created chaos. A century ago the country nearly collapsed. Foreign interests tore our homeland apart and we were unable to defend ourselves because we had poor leadership. History may repeat itself if we do not learn from our mistakes.
In March 1848 the desire for freedom triumphed without bloodshed. But preserving that freedom demanded sacrifice. That is why the words of Endre Ady still warn us today: there was a time when Hungarian life had order, soul and strength. I believe Hungarian life still has order, soul and strength today. The question is whether we are capable of safeguarding it. Maintaining order often allows no compromise. Rejecting compromise is not stubbornness, but integrity and adherence to a firm system of values. Refusing compromise means recognising that there are values without which there is no future. Let us preserve the order that grants us the freedom to remain sovereign. Let us preserve the faith that gives us strength even when empires swear against Hungarian freedom, and let us preserve the determination that made Debrecen the guardian city of freedom.
For historical times are not only part of the past, and historical figures exist not only in the pages of history books. We are living in historical times in the present as well, as wars, crises and migration shape our lives. A struggle of cultures and religions surrounds us. Europe’s Christian identity, if it still exists at all, hangs by a thread. And these times demand historical personalities – people who are experienced, strong, possess firm values and have a vision for the future.
It is an uplifting feeling to stand here where, 178 years ago, the leaders of the War of Independence and of our nation also walked and lived their everyday lives. We in Debrecen can feel proud that it was here that the nation first celebrated the first anniversary of the revolution on 15 March 1849. This day became special not only because of remembrance, but also because in Debrecen genuine cooperation between denominations in the spirit of the War of Independence was realised for the first time. On 15 March 1849 we were united here in Debrecen as well.
That morning, however, Bishop László Bémer of Várad celebrated a festive mass in St. Anne’s Cathedral, after which the crowd marched together to the Great Church, where Mihály Könyves Tóth, the fiery-spirited preacher of the War of Independence, proclaimed the Word. The buildings, streets and squares of our city still tell the story of those days.
Today’s celebration pays tribute both to the March Youth of Pest, the youth of the Reformed College and the sacrifice of the leaders of our city at that time. We remember the heroes today with them held in our hearts, and we bow our heads in reverence before the 119 soldiers resting in the Debrecen’s Military Cemetery, who gave their lives for Hungarian freedom on 2 August 1849.
On behalf of every citizen of our city, I can declare that we wear the national tricolour cockade with particular pride over our hearts here. In the city that was once the capital of the War of Independence, and which remains today the guardian city of Hungarian freedom.
Just as in 1849, we still believe today that Debrecen’s strength lies in the unity of its citizens and their love of freedom. Then a determined community defended our homeland and the honour of the nation. Today it is our duty to keep this heritage alive and pass it on with dignity.
Freedom is not only the glory of our past but also the foundation of our future. When we lift our gaze to the statue of Kossuth, the Great Church or the building of the College, we feel the unshakeable faith with which our forebears fought for freedom, progress and the Hungarian nation.
Let today’s celebration also be a source of strength for us: let us continue to build Debrecen with the same faith, pride and sense of responsibility as the March Youth and the civic citizens of old. Let us preserve our city as a stronghold of freedom, knowledge and civic dignity. Long live Hungarian freedom! Long live Debrecen, the guardian city of Hungarian freedom!” – concluded László Papp.
At the close of the ceremony, representatives of municipal and state institutions, armed forces, political parties and civil organisations laid wreaths at the Kossuth statue.
In the afternoon, the City Hall hosted a family folk playhouse and craft activities – felting, leatherwork, cord braiding and gingerbread decorating – organised with the participation of the Tímár House. Students of the Károly Kratochvil Honvéd Secondary School and Dormitory welcomed visitors with an exhibition of 1848–49 honvéd uniforms and weaponry, and those interested in the building and its history could also take part in a guided walk around the City Hall led by Deputy Mayor István Puskás.
The series of commemorative events in Debrecen on 15 March concludes in Kossuth Square with a joint dance by folk dance ensembles accompanied by the Bürkös Band, followed by the lowering of Hungary’s national flag.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
