Debrecen4U
December 6, 2025
Advent Run at DSZC Irinyi János Technikum
A Sporty Morning to Tune into Santa’s Day at DSZC Irinyi János Technikum.
On Friday morning, December 5, 2025, the community of DSZC Irinyi János Technikum warmed up for Santa’s Day with a sporty program. Santa hats, Christmas-themed and funny outfits, festive music – this was how students and teachers prepared for the Advent Run, which drew around 300 participants.
For the Debrecen Vocational Training Centre (DSZC), health education and community building are of prime importance, with school sports events playing a key role. The Irinyi János Technikum regularly organizes leisure sports days, and this Advent Run was launched with the intention of creating a tradition. At the end of the year, it is especially important for young people to find opportunities for physical and mental refreshment, and this cheerful sporting morning provided just that. Charity also had its place at the event: the collected chocolates enriched the “Love Boxes” of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid.
Speaking about the event, László Szilágyi, Director of the Irinyi János Technikum, emphasized that the school community prepared together, with teachers and students of sports training and event organization jointly arranging the Advent Run. The distance to be completed was 2 × 600 meters, known as the “Irinyi Loop.” In recent years, several events have involved students in the organization, which greatly contributes to community building. The motto of the event was “Bring a chocolate with you!” – and the students participated in the collection even more actively than expected. The director added that it was a joy to see such a large part of the school present at the sporty morning.
Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, in her welcome speech, pointed out that the essence of Santa’s Day is cheerfulness, which also aligns with the goals of the “Move, Debrecen!” school program: to take young people out of their daily routine of studying and working, to bring joy into everyday life, and to let students experience the power of community through sports during school hours. She also highlighted that beyond four walls and the digital world, there is life in the community, even outdoors. She thanked the coordinators for their dedicated work, stressing that initiatives like this are important, as these are the experiences students will truly remember from their school years. She added: “A school is a force of identity. When they think of Debrecen, they think of their school, and they will gladly carry its reputation to others.”
Sándor Szilágyi, Director General of DSZC, remarked that on Friday even Santa came to train at Irinyi. He emphasized the importance of students occasionally breaking free from the constraints of school, as such cheerful days and hours are much needed. With the “Move, Debrecen!” program, the city leadership especially targets schools, providing full support for the success of these sports events, which DSZC also wholeheartedly assists, since they contribute to students’ health awareness and enrich their community experiences. He noted that community programs are valuable – being together in community will always move Debrecen forward.
At the event, about 300 students completed the 1.2-kilometer distance, and at the finish everyone received a festive candy from Irinyi’s Santa.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
