Local services
The Debrecen Spring Festival will feature outstanding local artists, bands, and family programs from April 5 to 15 at the Kölcsey Center and several downtown locations.
Deputy Mayor István Puskás and Zita Dobos, CEO of Főnix Rendezvényszervező Nonprofit Kft, held a press conference on March 26, 2025, at the Art Café of the Kölcsey Center about the series of events related to Debrecen City Day.
Deputy Mayor István Puskás emphasized that in April, three cultural event series await the people of Debrecen: in addition to the Debrecen Spring Festival, Debrecen City Day is celebrated on April 11. The Debrecen Poetry Festival will also occur during those days, along with Hungarian Poetry Day. He stressed that they want April 11 to be a common cause and celebration for as many people in Debrecen as possible.
“Let’s dedicate a day to experiencing and celebrating our belonging to the city, and let this holiday not only be about protocol events but open up to the city and speak about ourselves, Debrecen; and of course, even about our past, why April 11 is the city’s day,” he said.
He added that they mainly address young people regarding the city’s day. As he said, Mayor László Papp will hold an unusual history lesson for high school students, and preschoolers can learn about Debrecen’s history playfully at the Old Town Hall. He noted that the Debrecen24—Sleep Elsewhere 24-hour competition will also be held this year in connection with April 11, where the city’s history will play a prominent role in the challenges.
In addition, guided walks await residents, and similar to last year, the promotion of Debrecen’s gastronomic traditions will also play a significant role this year. With the cooperation of the Hajdúsági Gastronomic Club, the Debrecen Vocational Training Center, and the Baptist Church’s vocational school, 1,693 pieces of Debrecen specialty, dill dübbencs, will be prepared in pouch form. The Deputy Mayor said the day will end with the Kodály Choir’s festive concert at the Great Church.
Zita Dobos emphasized that more than twenty programs await visitors at the Kölcsey Center from April 5 to 15, twelve of which are events organized within the framework of the Debrecen Spring Festival. As she said, they tried to compile the programs in such a way that they provide space and opportunities for connections for both children and adults, for lovers of classical and light music. She added that a cultural pocketbook titled Debrecen Spring has also been prepared for the series of events, which can be found in the city’s cultural institutions.
Highlighted programs include:
April 5 – Zsendülő fuvallatok: Festive concert by the Debreceni Zenede wind orchestras – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 9 – Golden Wedding (Aranylakodalom): Comedy by Vajk Szente – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 10 – Petra Gubik Concert: “What’s in My Pocket?” – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 11 – Phoenix and Dragon: 15th anniversary concert of the Bordó Sárkány band – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 12 – Djabe & Panta Rhei: Two anniversaries, one concert – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 13 – Easter Family Day + Tintanyúl Concert: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM family programs | 10:30 AM: Réka Farkasházi and Tintanyúl
April 14 – Talamba Promenade: Rhythm and spectacle – 7:00 PM | Kölcsey Center
April 13, 2025, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM Spring Festival: Free family day at the Kölcsey Center
Family Easter Carnival: Colorful programs, creative activities, and unique experiences await families at an unforgettable Easter event!
Interactive activities include:
9:30 AM | Bényi Gallery | Dancing Little Hands – Easter sign language activity for the little ones by Mónika Bodoki
10:15 AM | Bényi Gallery | Children’s yoga session by Kinga Dezső (limited places, first come, first served)
11:30 AM | Bényi Gallery | Children’s yoga session by Kinga Dezső (limited places, first come, first served)
12:15 PM | Corridor | Story therapist Emese Lengyel and her helper, Gordon the therapy dog – a magical introduction and unique activity
The Hajdúsági Guide and Assistance Dog Training Foundation will also be present, where we can learn more about assistance dogs.
Stage programs include:
9:30 AM | Feeling Dance and Majorette Association – The youngest talents of the Flower Carnival dance groups will show how they prepare for the Carnival and the Galiba Festival
11:30 AM | Corridor | Csicsogó Production: The Two Neighbors – a musical, interactive puppet show by Judit Ujj
Craft activities and games at multiple stations include:
- KisMaszat Experience Workshop – Easter creative activities by Bernadett Milu Kovácsné
- Természettár – Nature knowledge and discovery programs
- Veronika Szentpéteri-Nagy – Eco-friendly activities and exciting experimental demonstrations
- Debreceni Pagony – Stories and books for the little ones
- Traditional Wooden Games – Heritage games for young and old offered by the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid
The Friends of Books Network will participate in the event, with members including Természettár (Zoltán Váradi), Debreceni Pagony, and Csicsogó Production.
The International School of Debrecen (ISD) will present exciting international skill and quiz games in English.
Visitors can learn more about the Debrecen German Cultural Forum and “Tell Me About the Nursery,” an interactive game for children about nursery life (Debrecen United Nurseries).
Debrecen City Day | April 11, 2025
On April 11, 2025, the city of Debrecen will celebrate Debrecen City Day. The series of events aims to engage different age groups and communities: young people, students, families, local creators, and city memories. The events will take place at various locations in the downtown area, including the Kölcsey Center, public spaces, and cultural institutions.
Detailed program of the day:
9:00 AM – “Civic Values” (Kölcsey Center) – Ady Endre High School presented an unusual history lesson for Debrecen students.
9:00 AM – Poet Commando (Csokonai National Theater) – A Literary guerrilla action by young poets in Debrecen high schools.
9:00 AM – “24-hour competition, Sleep Elsewhere!” (DEMKI) – 24-hour city competition for high school students.
2:00 PM – City Day Tasting (Kossuth Square) – Dill dübbencs and Debrecen páros batyu are once again the culinary symbols of City Day. Participants: Debrecen Vocational Training Center & Hajdúsági Gastronomic Club.
2:00 PM – Downtown Wanderings in the Footsteps of Civics (downtown) – Thematic city walk. During the walk, participants can follow the city’s development and learn about the challenges Debrecen faced over the centuries.
2:00 PM – The “Devilish Professor” and His Era (Agóra Science Experience Center) – Playful educational programs.
3:00 PM—Getting to Know Debrecen Crafts (Kölcsey Center)—This is an Interactive demonstration by potters, gingerbread makers, and leather craftsmen for children and families with the help of DEMKI masters.
3:00 PM – Szívlapát (poetry anthology) (Csokonai Forum – Árpád Kóti Hall)
5:00 PM – Writers and poets’ memorials in sculpture (Méliusz Juhász Péter Library) – Lecture by sculptor Tünde Kotricz through Debrecen artworks.
5:00 PM – Thematic walk to the graves of Debrecen poets (Debrecen Public Cemetery) – Lecture and guided walk by Nóra Erdei.
7:00 PM – Phoenix and Dragon – Anniversary concert (Kölcsey Center, Great Hall) – Festive evening of the 15-year-old Bordó Sárkány band.
7:00 PM – Pál Ábrahám: Viktória – grand operetta (Kodály Philharmonics, Csokonai Theater) – Musical classic with symphonic accompaniment.
7:00 PM – Light and Shadow – Lenten concert (Kodály Philharmonics, Reformed Great Church) -Special concert with musical reflections on the Lenten period.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
