A collaboration between exhibition venues, associations, art schools, and private individuals, Debrecen Art Week will focus on contemporary visual art in the city for four days, with a series of events held in downtown galleries.

Taking place alongside the 35th Debrecen Spring Exhibition from 14 to 17 May, the programme celebrates local fine art and photography, as well as the city’s visual arts education, through exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, and open studio visits.

Partners
Department of Architecture, University of Debrecen; Debrecen Photo Club; Debrecen Photo Workshop; Association of Debrecen Fine Artists; DEMKI Borsos Villa Community House; DESZ24; Debrecen Clothing Factory; Jewish Community of Debrecen; Déri Museum; Főnix Event Organiser Public Benefit Nonprofit Ltd.; Ajtósi Dürer Association of Graphic Artists; Kiss–Nagy collector duo; Kós Károly Secondary School of Art and Technical College; Ferenc Medgyessy Grammar School, Secondary School of Art and Technical College; MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art; Vojtina Puppet Theatre.

Medgyessy Ferenc Memorial Museum
“Kultúrállat” – Installation

Human beings are often referred to as homo ludens, meaning “playing man”, and consequently describe themselves in many ways, such as homo politicus, viator (traveller), faber (toolmaker), and religiosus (religious man). Yet, as part of nature and a being elevated from it through intellectual abilities, humanity is also a rational animal. A “culture-animal” that creates culture and thereby organises the world into unity — naturally according to its own anthropomorphic perspective. In this way, anthropomorphism is not merely a stylistic device, but a cultural gesture: the means by which the “culture-animal” interprets itself and its world, while nature and culture remain in constant dialogue.

Opening: 14 May, 4 pm
Open: 14–17 May, 10 am–6 pm

Modem
Project Space: Exhibition by Zsófia Antalka

Zsófia Antalka, a young visual artist originally from Debrecen, has for several years been creating small- and large-scale curtains composed of beads. Her artworks, produced using a handcrafted technique dating back to pre-industrial times, incorporate central symbolic motifs that draw attention not only to the contradictions between art and mass production, but also to numerous bodily characteristics and biological processes shaping female identity. The special feature of this project is that it places emphasis on the background work that has recently become increasingly significant for Antalka by having her begin creating the second part of the exhibition’s central artwork only after the opening, within a workspace set up in the exhibition hall itself.

Through the artwork created in front of the public, the project aims — several hundred years after the first Industrial Revolution — to once again demonstrate the harmonious relationship between art and everyday life through the joy of handcrafted creation.

Curator’s tour: 14 May, 5 pm

Curator-led tour of the exhibition formatíva with visual artist Zsófia Antalka and curator Marcell Hocza-Szabó
Open until 24 May; closed Mondays, open Tuesdays and Thursday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm

Baltazár Dezső Square

ARTIST-RE-MIX – Károly Kós Secondary School of Art, Technical College and Student Residence

Within the available space, the school presents works by Kós teachers and students in an interactive format.
This year once again places emphasis on the conscious experience of the present moment.

The combined impact of creative art and teachers may influence our entire lives and shape our outlook.

Students of the Károly Kós Secondary School of Art experience and learn the techniques of concentration and inward as well as outward attention through the creation of their works. We also place great emphasis on helping students understand and experience how today’s actions shape tomorrow.

Opening: 14 May, 6 pm
Open: 14–17 May, 4 pm–6 pm

Kiss-Nagy Contemporary Gallery
Closing Exhibition of the GADE Artists’ Colony

Entrance from the DESZ24 courtyard or via the gate at 20 Batthyány Street

The gallery presents a selection of works primarily by Debrecen artists participating in the artists’ colony. In good weather, visitors may also view a selection of lithographs by American pop art artists from the gallery’s collection in the courtyard.
As part of the event, contemporaries and fellow artists commemorate István Burai, who was born 75 years ago.

Opening: 14 May, 6 pm
Open: 14–16 May, 3 pm–7 pm; 17 May, 3 pm–4 pm

Vojtina Puppet Theatre
Interactive Exhibition on the Theme of the Body and Perception

Winners of the Curatorial Competition of Modem and the Vojtina Puppet Theatre

Created within the framework of the young curators’ competition organised by the Modem Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts and the Vojtina Puppet Theatre, the exhibition examines — through the relationship between the media of the puppet, the puppet body and the human body — how body, movement and play shape our perception of reality. The central question of the exhibition is: “everything for the hand, nothing for the eye?” This playfully subverts the deeply ingrained normative meaning of the original phrase — particularly relevant to exhibition spaces — as a regulatory and restrictive rule.

Building on the micro-histories of the Vojtina Puppet Theatre, the reinterpretation of space replaces the traditional frontal spectator position with an active, participation-driven sensory playground. In the works of participating artists Csenge Juhos-Kiss, Dorottya Szonja Koltay and Violetta Vigh, the focus lies on reflections on peripheral, childlike perception, the genesis of the puppet, and the reinterpretation of the human body as a kind of puppet through immersive audiovisual experiences. The installation aims to blur the boundaries between puppet, artwork and viewer.

Curators: Dorottya Balkó, Lilla Bényi, Eszter Sára Szabó

Opening: 15 May, 1 pm
Open: during and after the festival; weekdays 8 am–5 pm, closed Saturdays, Sundays 9 am–12 pm

University of Debrecen Department of Architecture
“The Ladder Within You” – Exhibition of Student Works from the Department of Architecture

The stages of development in design lead through understanding engineering and fine art perspectives, as well as acquiring abstract thinking skills, towards comprehending the complexity of architecture.

Opening: 15 May, 4 pm
Open: 16–17 May, 10 am–5 pm

DESZ24 Courtyard (24 Batthyány Street)
The Street Is Ours – Photographs by Misi Tóth

The underground lifestyle leaves a permanent mark. The skateboard generation of the 2000s claims the street as its own, with all its movement, emotions, beauty and greyness alike. Dirt and chaos — essential characteristics of the urban environment — are regarded as a natural habitat. Through this perspective, Misi Tóth seeks to aestheticise the urban atmosphere. With playful attentiveness, he documents the streets of his hometown and the everyday rhythms of those who live there.

Opening: 15 May, 5 pm
Open until 29 June

Debrecen Clothing Factory
What You Eat – Installation by Sándor Imreh

A site-specific installation by visual artist Sándor Imreh moves into one of the empty rooms of the Debrecen Clothing Factory, a former industrial site now primarily serving cultural purposes. Using the tools of post-graffiti and contemporary drawing, alongside fragments of personal stories, the work reflects on the consequences of the industrialisation of consciousness.

Opening: 15 May, 6 pm
Open during the festival from 2 pm–6 pm; after the festival by prior appointment (+36 52 410 015)

Új Gallery
Are You a Puppet?

In their exhibition, artists of the Debrecen Guild of Fine Artists seek answers to what controls human beings. Their will? Their instincts? Their family? Their partner? Or cultural and social traditions and customs? Perhaps morality? What passion drives whom and why, where the boundaries of personality lie, and how individuals handle their sins and successes, desires and possibilities? Through the unique language of visual art, the exhibition offers hidden yet decipherable answers and possibilities for answers to these questions.

Opening: 15 May, 7 pm
Open until 7 June, daily 2 pm–4 pm

Debrecen Photo Club
Workshops + Pop-Up Exhibition

Workshop: Studio photography and macro photography — tips, tricks and equipment demonstrations, including the use of lenses and extension tubes, supplemented with tools for creating tripods, lighting and reflectors. Mobile photography — settings of the phone’s own camera application, including focus, brightness, framing, resolution, the use of guide lines, and the basics of post-production. Cyanotype photogram workshop: by placing objects and plants onto pre-coated paper, participants can create images that are exposed and developed on site.

Quiz: 13+1 questions from the history of Hungarian photography. Visitors may compete for prizes while testing their photographic knowledge.

Workshop in front of the Town Hall with participation from the Gradient dancers of the Csokonai Theatre. In addition to club members, anyone may participate in the photography session, and interested photographers are warmly welcomed.

A pop-up exhibition featuring a selection of photographs taken during the event will be presented on Saturday, 16 May at 3 pm.

Programmes: 14–17 May
Open: exhibition and workshops, 14–17 May, 2 pm–6 pm

GADE – Downtown Creative Workshop (18 Szent Anna Street, access via the car park next to UniCredit Bank on Kossuth Street)
Assemblages – István Subicz

The term assemblage refers to the combination of various materials and elements to create a coherent whole. It is a compositional method that arranges and combines found objects, materials and other elements into aesthetically pleasing and meaningful compositions. Several years ago, István Subicz shifted his attention and interest from classical graphic genres towards this direction, and we eagerly await the presentation of his latest works.

Opening: 16 May, 4 pm
Open: 14–17 May, 10 am–4 pm

Bényi Gallery
35th Debrecen Spring Exhibition

This year marks the 35th edition of the Debrecen Spring Exhibition at the Bényi Gallery of the Kölcsey Centre, a forum for local artists and artists connected to Debrecen who professionally practise fine art, photography and applied arts. Within the series, painting and graphics/photography alternate biennially, while sculpture is accepted every year.

This year, graphics and photography are at the centre of the exhibition, though visitors may also admire sculptures, textile artworks and enamel works.

In addition to providing an aesthetic experience, the public nature of the exhibition also creates an opportunity for local artists to show one another and the wider public what they are currently working on. The opening and award ceremony of the Spring Exhibition is a prominent event in the local visual arts scene, where artists and audiences can meet.

Opening: 17 May, 3 pm
Open until 25 June, daily 10 am–6 pm

Debrecen Photography Workshop (41 Piac Street)
Exhibition of the Debrecen Photography Workshop Internal Competition and Workshops

As in previous years, the association organises its programme this year around the magic of the camera obscura. At the site of the room-sized camera obscura created within the shop, visitors will not merely be passive observers but active participants in the creation of the image itself. A few magical words about the expected experience: “You will not be looking at an image, but at the work of light.”

Members of the association will once again hold their highly successful pinhole camera-making workshop.

A selection of photographs from this year’s internal competition of the Debrecen Photography Workshop will also be displayed on the walls.

Open: 14–17 May, 2 pm–6 pm (exhibition and workshops)

Synagogue Gallery (Pásti Street Synagogue, 4 Pásti Street)

The Debrecen Synagogue Gallery is housed within the building of the Pásti Street Orthodox Synagogue, which holds not only religious but also historical and artistic significance. Visitors may admire the unique atmosphere of the building during Art Week as well. During the festival, an exhibition of works by painter Johanna Kovács will be on display, alongside artworks created at the 4th Debrecen Jewish Quarter Artists’ Colony held in April.

Open: 14–17 May, 9 am–4 pm
Following the festival, visits are available by appointment on weekdays between 10 am and 4 pm.
debrecenizsidosag@gmail.com, +36 52 415 861

DEMKI Borsos Villa Community House (1 Borsos József Square)
Exhibition by Photojournalists Ákos Katona and László Szolnoki

Ákos Katona is a Debrecen photographer who plays a significant role in documenting local sports life and community events, particularly those of the University of Debrecen Athletic Club. In the course of his work, he captures not only sporting events but also family days and other community programmes. László Szolnoki is a sports photographer from Debrecen. In 2025, he achieved third place in the Student Press Photo Competition.

Opening: 12 May, 5 pm
Open until 9 June; Mondays and Tuesdays 12 pm–6 pm, Wednesdays 9 am–5 pm, Thursdays 9 am–6 pm, Fridays 10 am–6 pm

Studio Tour

Get to know the visual artists living in Debrecen and their work up close — in the very places where the artworks are created!

16 May, 10 am–1 pm: studio visit with photographic artist András Máthé
(6 Móricz Zsigmond Boulevard, ground floor, flat 3)

16 May, 10 am–1 pm: studio visit with graphic artist Péter Donka
(6 Móricz Zsigmond Boulevard, ground floor, flat 1)

All Art Week exhibitions and events may be visited free of charge.

Source and photo credit: debreceniprogramok.com