Local services
“Move, Debrecen!” movement, which has moved more than 41,000 people in more than 2,000 programmes since its launch, is celebrating its second birthday.
The occasion was celebrated with a walk with the Mayor of Debrecen, László Papp, Deputy Mayor Diána Széles and DAEFI Director Csaba Papp. The Heart Friendly Thematic Walk has been launched more than 200 times since the movement’s inception and has attracted more than 8,300 participants. Debrecen residents can move twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Experience over the past two years shows that there is a strong demand for regular exercise programmes in Debrecen. There are health promotion programmes in six indoor locations (DEMKI Homokkert, Józsa, Csapókerti Community Centres, DAEFI Pósa Street and Szent Anna Street Centres and the DMJV Family and Child Welfare Centre) and three outdoor locations (Arany János Square, Liget Square, Nagyerdő Heart Friendly Walk).
So far, the outdoor gym sessions have been running from April to October; however, from the 6th of November, the programmes will continue in the gymnasium of the Szent László Greek Catholic High School and Technikum during the winter season. The new venue will host Zumba classes on Mondays and Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and gym classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The “Move, Debrecen!” movement provides all sports equipment for the tournament.
Launched two years ago in the spirit of the “Caring City “ idea, the aim of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement was to get as many people as possible moving around the city. The initiative was so successful that the movement now offers free exercise for almost all ages every weekday instead of the initial two days a week.
In its first year, the movement moved more than 17,000 people. The second year also saw the launch of the school programme, with nearly 1,500 primary and secondary school children moving twice a week. Recently, more than 1000 young people danced in a flash mob in Debrecen’s main square. More are expected to perform the same choreography during the Advent Fair. In the two years of the movement, more than 38,000 visitors have taken part in outdoor and indoor activities and health screenings. Including participants in the school programme and the flashmob, this number has now exceeded 41 thousand.
In September this year, the Health Promotion Centre of the movement opened on Szent Anna Street, where mental health and activities to promote it play an important role.
Source and photo credit: Debrecen.hu
