Debrecen4U
March 9, 2026
Celebrating March 15: Programmes for Residents in Debrecen
The Municipality of Debrecen will organise commemorations and festive programmes in keeping with tradition to celebrate the memorial day of the 1848 revolution.
The day will begin with a ceremonial flag raising at 9.00 a.m. on Sunday, 15 March, in Kossuth Square.
At 10.00 a.m., a festive programme and wreath-laying ceremony will begin in Petőfi Square, featuring the Actors’ Orchestra of the Csokonai National Theatre. At 10.30 a.m., a ceremonial march will set off from Petőfi Square to Kossuth Square. Participants include the Debrecen Garrison Band of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the University of Debrecen Theatre, Alföld Stage, drama students of the Ady Endre Gymnasium, and folk dancers from Debrecen.
The ceremonial programme and wreath-laying in Kossuth Square will begin at 11.00 a.m. The festive address will be delivered by Mayor László Papp.
Participants include the Debrecen Garrison Band of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the Hajdú-Bihar County Hussar Heritage Association, the Csokonai National Theatre and the Ady Endre Gymnasium.
Between 12.00 and 4.00 p.m., children’s and family programmes will be available at the Old Town Hall (20 Piac Street). Activities include a children’s craft workshop, an exhibition presenting the uniforms and weapons of the 1848–49 Hungarian honvéd soldiers, and guided walks through the Town Hall starting at 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.
From 3.00 p.m., the Csokonai Salon will welcome visitors at the Debrecen Reformed Great Church, where a discussion will be led by literary historian Anna Juhász. From 4.00 p.m., festive performances by Debrecen folk dance ensembles will take place in Kossuth Square, followed by a ceremonial flag lowering at 5.00 p.m., closing the day’s programme for 15 March.
Other programmes on 15 March
10.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.: “Walk with Jókai!” – museum education game/exhibition at the Debrecen House of Literature (28 Péterfia Street). Free admission.
Lajos Kossuth in Debrecen. Walk in the capital of freedom – online guide/game
Available all day online at www.derimuzeum.hu
The Déri Museum in Debrecen and its member institutions (the Ferenc Medgyessy Memorial Exhibition and the Debrecen House of Literature) can be visited free of charge on the national holiday.
10.30 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.: Revolutionary inventions – lecture on the history of science at the Agóra Science Experience Centre (recommended from age 10). Participation with a valid Agóra admission ticket.
11.00 a.m.: Pongrác Kacsóh – János vitéz at the Csokonai Teátrum.
3.00–5.00 p.m.: “I will be a hussar” – interactive creative workshop for children at the Sziget-kék Thematic Park.
Revolutionary adventure game for children at the Nagyerdei Cultural Park.
5.00 p.m.: Pongrác Kacsóh – János vitéz (musical play) at the Csokonai Teátrum.
Programmes connected to the national holiday on other dates
2–26 March
1848/49 exhibition at the DEMKI Józsa Community House
10 March, 10.00 a.m.
“Glorious Spring” – remembering 1848. Lecture by retired Lieutenant Colonel László Oláh and a document exhibition at the Borsos Villa Community House
10.00–11.30 a.m.: Craft playhouse at the Homokkert Community House
10–13 March
“The Gingerbread Hussar” – storytelling and activity session for primary school children at the Petőfi Memorial Library
(prior registration for kindergarten and school groups: petofi@meliusz.hu)
11 March
10.00 a.m.: Revolutionary children’s dance house with folk games at Borsos Villa
10.00 a.m.: Commemorative event with craft workshop at the Kismacs Community House
2.00 p.m.: Homokkert Pilvax – interactive session at the Homokkert Community House
2.30 p.m.: “Day of the Little Hussars” – musical revolutionary playhouse at Borsos Villa
2.30 p.m.: 1848/49 festive lecture and interactive programme at DEMKI Józsa Community House (9 Szentgyörgyfalvi Street, Debrecen-Józsa)
4.00 p.m.: Melodies and poems of our national holiday at the Homokkert Community House
4.00 p.m.: 15 March event at the Csapókert Community House
13 March
2.00 p.m.: Commemorative lecture on 15 March 1848 by retired Lieutenant Colonel László Oláh at the Méliusz Central Library
6.00 p.m.: Festive acoustic music evening at the Youth House
14 March
11.00 a.m.: Festive family craft session at the Elek Benedek Library
16 March
Performances at 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.: “Phoenix and Lamb” performed by students of the Ady Endre Gymnasium
16–27 March
“Honour to the Brave!” – corridor exhibition at the Újkert Community House
17 March
2.00 p.m.: Screening of the documentary film Sword and Cockade, followed by a panel discussion at the Újkert Community House
2.00 p.m.: “Freedom!” – festive musical programme at the Borsos Villa Community House.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Papp László (Facebook)
