Debrecen4U
June 24, 2026
Csokonai National Theatre Concludes Anniversary 2025/26 Season
At the Csokonai National Theatre’s season-closing company meeting held on 23 June, Deputy Mayor for Culture István Puskás, Director Dániel Vadász, and Deputy Director Lóránt Bocskor-Salló reviewed the season’s achievements and presented the awards.
During the 2025/26 season, audiences were invited to 629 theatre events, including 381 performances, which attracted a total audience of more than 101,000 people. As part of the Csokonai Youth Programme (CSIP), 98 participatory events were organised in 48 schools across 13 municipalities, involving 2,792 students.
This year, the Csokonai National Theatre Excellence Award Committee presented the theatre’s highest honour to four artists. The recipients of the Excellence Award were actors Zsolt Csata, Gergely Máté Kiss, Ákos Kukovecz and Bence Pálóczi.
Actor Zsolt Dánielfy received the Thalia Tie Travelling Award, opera singer Fanni Faluvégi was presented with the Lili Neményi Travelling Award and opera singer Levente Molnár received the Vilmos Rubányi Award.
Kata Anna Váró of the Arts Centre of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen received the József Csanak Award. Actress Evelin Szép received both the Promising Newcomer Award and the Géza Kardoss Foundation Award, while Director’s Secretary Diána Szilvási was honoured with the Invisible Helper Award.
Founded by Anna Ráckevei and decided annually by a secret vote of the company, the Master Craftspeople Award was awarded this year to Tímea Leskóné Pribilinszki, Head of the Costume Department. Photographer András Máthé’s Foto-Art Award was presented to actor Richárd Kránicz, while the cast of the production LÉT(ra) received a special award from the Arts Centre of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen.
This year, a public vote was also launched to discover which production had proved the most popular with audiences. The competition was close, but the audience favourite was The Jungle Book.
In October, the theatre celebrated its 160th anniversary, while several members of staff also marked significant work anniversaries during the season. Sound technician Zoltán Kalas and stage technician Csaba Végh celebrated 25 years of service, dresser Andrea Szarvas was recognised for 35 years of work, and actor Zsolt Dánielfy received a commemorative certificate for 45 years of service.
The company also surprised Sándor Csikos, holder of the prestigious Actor of the Nation title, and celebrated photographer András Máthé on his birthday.
The company also welcomed two new honorary lifetime members, as Technical Manager Márton Kathi and opera singer Vilhelmina Papp now join the ranks of Debrecen’s distinguished cultural figures.
The National Theatre Season Opening, MagdaFeszt, DESZKA Festival, Night of Literature and the National Theatre Festival all added colour to the theatre’s anniversary season. Theatrical performances will continue at the Great Forest Open-Air Stage until September, and subscriptions for the 2026/27 season have also gone on sale, as announced by the theatre. “We are always pleased to hear the views of our valued audiences regarding the past season and look forward to receiving responses to our satisfaction survey. Every completed questionnaire helps us create increasingly exciting seasons to enjoy together year after year,” they added.
Information about the summer programme and detailed information about season subscriptions are available via the theatre’s website.
Source and photo credit: dehir.hu
