Debrecen4U February 23, 2026

Deputy Mayor István Puskás Presents Debrecen’s 2026 Draft Budget for Culture

The 2026 budget for Debrecen is a budget of security, development and prosperity, fully aligned with the Debrecen2030 urban development strategy adopted in 2020 by the City Assembly and the Government, as in previous years.

The 2026 draft budgets of Debrecen’s cultural institutions and non-profit organisations were presented by Deputy Mayor István Puskás at the Agora Science Centre on 20 February 2026.

For centuries, Debrecen has been one of the most important centres of Hungarian culture and the municipality aims to preserve and build upon this tradition this year and in the future.

István Puskás stated that culture is a fundamental element of the city’s community cohesion and identity, and that more than HUF 17 billion will be available for cultural life in Debrecen from the city’s 2026 budget.

The Deputy Mayor emphasised that, alongside the major cultural institutions, they also consider network‑based collaborations important — initiatives in which the most diverse actors of Debrecen’s cultural scene work together. Among these, he mentioned the Friends of the Book network, Made in Debrecen, and Art Week.

He recalled that the Debrecen Cultural Forum programme was launched last year, will continue this year, and may in future support the activities of the city’s cultural stakeholders through workshop-style professional sessions.

Speaking about this year’s cultural developments, István Puskás said that the Contemporary Music Cultural Community Centre will reach the public procurement phase this year and, according to plans, may open at the end of 2027 or at the beginning of 2028. In addition, the great halls of the MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts and the Apolló Cinema are expected to be refurbished this year, and the first phase of the renovation of the Kölcsey Centre and the headquarters of the Hajdú Dance Ensemble will be completed.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

• Establishment of the Contemporary Music Cultural Community Centre
• Refurbishment of MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts (ROHU)
• Refurbishment of the Kölcsey Centre – Phase I
• Refurbishment of the large auditorium of the Apolló Cinema
• Design competition for Víg Cinema, Bartók Hall
• Renovation of the headquarters of the Hajdú Dance Ensemble – Phase I

BUDGETS FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS:

(Municipal funding, including the amount of state support)

• Csokonai National Theatre: HUF 3.8 billion
• Déri Museum: HUF 802 million
• Méliusz Juhász Péter Library: HUF 982 million
• Vojtina Puppet Theatre: HUF 716 million
• Debrecen Cultural Centre and Youth House: HUF 753 million
• Kodály Philharmonic Debrecen: HUF 1.5 billion
• Agóra Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.: HUF 324 million
• Főnix Rendezvényszervező Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.: HUF 2.168 billion
• MODEM Modern és Kortárs Művészeti Központ Nonprofit Kft.: HUF 577 million
• Nagyerdei Kultúrpark Nonprofit Kft.: HUF 812 million

SUPPORT FOR POPULAR MUSIC CULTURE:

István Puskás emphasised that Debrecen bands may again apply this year for support towards the production of audio and video recordings, that another secondary school will take the “Zenedoboz” this year, and that the Debrecen Art Lab programme (DEAL) will also continue.

SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY, CIVIL LIFE AND CHURCHES:

The following organisations may operate from a total of HUF 145.2 million:

• Debrecen Summer University
• University of Debrecen
• Debrecen German Cultural Forum
• Más-Mozaik Sociocultural Association
• University of Debrecen Professors’ Club
• Debrecen Folk Ensemble – Dr András Béres Folk Dance Association
• Endorfin Association
• Alföld Foundation
• Foundation for the Culture of Debrecen
• Őrváros Public Foundation
• Public Foundation for Talented Young People of Debrecen
• Public Benefit Foundation for the Hajdú Dance Ensemble
• Hungarian Reformed Charity Public Benefit Foundation
• Pro Minoritate Foundation for Minorities
• Five Talents Public Benefit Foundation
• Foundation for the Memory of Magda Szabó and Tibor Szobotka
• Kistemplom Foundation
• Bálint Jewish Community House Foundation
• Lautitia Music Association
• VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Centre
• Kétkeréken Debrecenért Association

The Cultural, Civil and Youth Fund may operate from HUF 30.5 million; in 2025, 64 organisations were supported, while the amount of support provided to churches is HUF 39 million.

The number of employees of the cultural institutions in 2026 will be 545 (excluding business companies), who may expect an average wage increase of 15% this year.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu