Debrecen4U
April 13, 2026
City Day Honours – 2026
On the occasion of Debrecen City Day, the Municipal Assembly of Debrecen held a ceremonial session on 11 April 2026 at the Kölcsey Centre. At the event, Mayor László Papp presented honorary citizenship titles, Pro Urbe Awards, and Déri Frigyes Awards.
At the beginning of the ceremony, a tribute was paid to Debrecen-born Tamás Vásáry, the recently deceased Kossuth and Liszt Ferenc Prize-winning pianist and conductor, with a commemorative compilation entitled “My Memories of the City… In memoriam Tamás Vásáry”. Tamás Vásáry’s exceptional talent and work were recognised with numerous prestigious awards. He was named an Artist of the Nation, a recipient of the Order of Saint Stephen, a full member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts, and was also awarded the title dearest to his heart, Honorary Citizen of the City of Debrecen. The commemoration featured actress and presenter Ibolya Mészáros and Zente Juhász, a student of the Debrecen Music School and a contestant in the 10th, jubilee season of Virtuózok (mentored by Szabina Kiss Bodóné). The programme was compiled by Attila Mispál, a Béla Balázs Prize-winning film, television and theatre director, with professional consultancy by Judit Váradi.
Before delivering his ceremonial speech, Mayor László Papp thanked the creators for the tribute and recalled those occasions when Tamás Vásáry himself delighted audiences with his piano performance at a previous City Day assembly.
In his address, László Papp stated: “It is April – a month that plays a particularly important role in the history of Debrecen, as on several occasions April has brought events of decisive significance not only for our city but also for our nation.
In 1361, 665 years ago, on 15 April, King Louis the Great granted Debrecen the status of a market town, enabling our predecessors already in the Middle Ages to shape Debrecen into a regional, indeed even wider, commercial centre.
Following the end of the country’s division into three parts, on 11 April 1693 – 333 years ago – Leopold I granted our city the title of a free royal town, thereby conferring the most prestigious privilege, one that enabled development, albeit with certain compromises.
A key factor in awarding this title was the recognition that, after the restoration of the territorial unity of the Kingdom of Hungary, Debrecen too needed to seek new directions and opportunities for development. In this endeavour, the city’s leaders have always played an important role, consistently recognising the direction in which the city should be guided. Figures such as István Dobozi, György Komáromi Csipkés Jr., and János Pósalaki played a crucial role; they were committed, experienced and wise citizens, whose names were rightfully recorded in the ornate charter.
Today, on the Day of the City of Debrecen, we celebrate the strength, perseverance, diligence and community spirit that have shaped this city for centuries. Debrecen is not merely a place on the map – it is a community rooted in centuries-old traditions, characterised by resilience and a firm belief in the future.
As an old saying goes: ‘Debrecen has always been more than a city – it is a symbol of freedom and survival.’ This spirit has guided us through the most difficult periods of our history and continues to provide direction today.
In a world that is changing rapidly and often unpredictably, it is especially important to have fixed points. Debrecen is such a fixed point: a city that has always been able to preserve its traditions while boldly opening towards the future whenever opportunity and necessity arose. It is a community that understands that development is not an end in itself, but must serve the well-being of its people.
In recent years, Debrecen has set an example for the entire country in economic development, support for education, and cultural renewal. Everything that has taken place in recent decades has not been a matter of drift or chance, but rather the recognition – in line with historical traditions – that changes in the world open up new opportunities and directions for development, which must be harnessed for the benefit of the city. Our responsibility lies not in rejecting development, but in ensuring that it serves Debrecen in the safest and most effective way possible.
By its very nature, this city can never be satisfied with what has already been achieved. The challenges of the future stand before us: the technological revolution of the global economy, issues of energy security, retaining young people locally, environmental challenges, and supporting families. In all these areas, Debrecen must find the best possible solutions.
I believe that Debrecen’s future lies in our ability to be both modern and respectful of tradition; to develop while preserving our longstanding values. To build a modern economy and institutions while safeguarding the soul of the city; to attract investment while keeping the interests of local communities in focus.
The Day of the City is not only about our shared past; it also draws attention to those individuals who shape our present and future. Through their careers, professionalism and humanity, they have not only built their own paths but have also contributed to our city and, through it, to our nation. On such occasions, it is particularly uplifting to be from Debrecen: the past, present and future of the city seem to converge into a single point, into one community.
A former Honorary Citizen of Debrecen, Professor András Görömbei, often quoted Gyula Illyés: ‘Without the cohesive force of shared sentiment, there is no nation.’ Professor Görömbei added that ‘this cohesion can only be grounded in a realistic national self-awareness’. I am proud that Debrecen has always been at the forefront of fostering this intellectual cohesion and encouraging national self-awareness.
I am also proud that today’s recipients of honorary citizenship, Pro Urbe Awards and Déri Frigyes Awards follow this ideal through their value-creating and dedicated work, even though they represent diverse yet complementary fields.
Today we honour a professor of medicine and academician; an ethnographer specialising in religious studies and a university leader; a teacher and school head; a puppeteer and institutional director; a gingerbread craftsman and folk artist; an agricultural professional and company director; and an engineer-economist and chamber leader.
Despite their different careers, what they share is that for decades they have lived their vocations as a form of service, taking responsibility not only for their immediate and wider communities but also for Debrecen and the Hungarian nation, and even looking beyond national borders.
Through their work, achievements and personal stature, they have all contributed to the ideal that forms the foundation of our identity as citizens of Debrecen, making the city one of enduring intellectual values.
Allow me, esteemed award recipients, to express my appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the city for your exemplary commitment, inspiring enthusiasm, innovative thinking, wise leadership and decades of dedicated work not only in your professions but also for our beloved city. I wish you continued success, strength, abundant blessings and a fulfilling life. May Debrecen continue to be a city of opportunities, knowledge and community – a place where it is good to live, work and build a future. God bless Debrecen! God bless the award recipients!” concluded László Papp.
This was followed by the presentation of the city’s honours.
Honorary Citizens
The Municipal Assembly of the City of Debrecen awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Debrecen to József Balla, university professor, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine and Head of the Nephrology Division, and to Elek Bartha, Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the material, intellectual and moral development of the city and its citizens.
Professor József Balla is Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Debrecen and a corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He obtained his medical degree in 1984 at the University of Debrecen. Between 1988 and 1994, he worked as a research physician at the University of Minnesota in the United States, where he received the Excellence in Clinical Research Award, earning recognition in The Washington Post. Upon returning to Hungary, he established his own research laboratory at the University of Debrecen. Over the past 30 years, he and his colleagues have developed the Debrecen Vascular Biology Research Laboratory into an internationally recognised centre in the field. In the 2000s, his research included processes related to atherosclerosis and the discovery of regulatory systems capable of preventing pathological cell transformation and the calcification of blood vessels and heart valves. Among his distinguished students are individuals who have gone on to hold leading international positions, including the presidency of the American Society of Nephrology. He has played a leading role in introducing diagnostic and therapeutic techniques related to kidney diseases and organ replacement in Hungary. He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Academia Europaea.
Professor Emeritus Elek Bartha has maintained strong ties since his university years to Hungarian folk culture, Christian traditions, the city of Debrecen and the University of Debrecen. He graduated in ethnography from Kossuth Lajos University in 1980, earned his doctorate in 1983, defended his candidate thesis in 1990 in literary studies and folklore, and obtained his Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences degree in 2002. His main research areas include religious ethnography, cultural ecology, folklore, and the peoples of Central Europe and the Balkans. His work has achieved significant recognition both nationally and internationally. His awards include the János Jankó Prize (1989), the Csokonai Award of the City of Debrecen (2014), membership of the Kalevala Society (2004), the County Prima Award (2021), the Pro Urbe Award of Debrecen, the István Györffy Prize, and the Officer’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit. His public service has also been considerable; from 2013 to the end of 2025, he served as Vice-Rector for Education at the University of Debrecen.
Pro Urbe Award Recipients
The Municipal Assembly of the City of Debrecen awarded the Pro Urbe Award to Imre Aranyi, Headmaster of Fazekas Mihály Secondary School; Anikó Asbóth, adviser and former director of the Vojtina Puppet Theatre; and László Radics, gingerbread craftsman, master of folk art, in recognition of their decades-long, highly esteemed contributions to the development and reputation of the city and the well-being of the local community.
Imre Aranyi has devoted more than four decades to serving the community of Debrecen as a teacher and school leader. His work is closely intertwined with the history of Fazekas Mihály Secondary School, which under his leadership since 1996 has become one of the most successful secondary schools in Hungary and a true representative of Debrecen’s educational values. At the core of his leadership philosophy are students – the transmission of knowledge, values and a sense of responsibility for the community. He also supports professional collaboration among school leaders and contributes actively to the city’s educational strategy. His personal example and consistent values have guided generations.
Anikó Asbóth’s name has been inseparable from the history of the Vojtina Puppet Theatre and the cultural life of Debrecen for over five decades. She joined the ensemble in 1975 as one of its founding members and later became its director. Her work combines artistic and pedagogical excellence, with a strong commitment to children’s development. Under her leadership, the theatre evolved into a professional institution while preserving its core values. Her honours include the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit, the Géza Blattner Prize, the Debrecen Culture Award and the Csokonai Award.
László Radics is one of the most prominent representatives of the traditional gingerbread craft in Hungary, continuing a long-standing Debrecen tradition associated with master Sándor Kerékgyártó. He learned the craft from his father-in-law László Pázmándy, and together with his wife has preserved and developed this family heritage for over four decades. In addition to his craftsmanship, he is dedicated to passing on knowledge through workshops and educational activities, promoting traditional culture and the city’s values. He has received numerous professional recognitions, including the title of Master of Folk Art.
Déri Frigyes Award Recipients
The Municipal Assembly awarded the Déri Frigyes Award to Ferenc Miklóssy, Managing Director of KEVIÉP Kft. and President of the Hajdú-Bihar County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and to László Vaszkó, Managing Director of V-Trade Kiállítások Kft., in recognition of their outstanding contributions to economic life and to the development and international recognition of the city.
Ferenc Miklóssy, an economist and engineer-economist, has played a defining role in Hungary’s water management and economic sectors for decades. As a leader in major infrastructure and environmental projects, he has significantly contributed to regional development and to strengthening cooperation between business, academia and government.
László Vaszkó founded and successfully developed one of Hungary’s most significant agricultural and food industry exhibitions, the Farmer-Expo International Agricultural and Food Industry Fair, first held in 1992 and now organised for the 35th time in 2026. His work has had a substantial impact on the development of the region’s agricultural enterprises and exhibition sector.
Following the presentation of the awards, Mayor László Papp emphasised that each year the Municipal Assembly makes its decisions on these honours with great care, always recognising the most deserving individuals – as was the case in 2026. Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest city, has played a historically significant role in shaping the nation. “To earn the recognition of this city is perhaps one of the greatest achievements in the world,” he stated. He highlighted that the most valuable aspect of the day is the shared sense of identity and love for the city, which has driven the achievements of the award recipients. Only those who truly embrace this identity can become “prophets” in this city, whether they were born here or not. The accomplishments celebrated today are a source of pride for all citizens. He concluded by encouraging the recipients to continue their valuable work, adding: “It is through this that Debrecen will become even greater.”
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
