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 Agóra Science Experience 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, network-based collaborations are also considered important, bringing together a wide range of actors from the city’s cultural life. Among others, he mentioned the We Love Books 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 Popular Music Cultural Community Centre will certainly 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 a Light 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
