The festival season begins with Debrecen City Days between 7 and 11 April, with the main venues at Kossuth Square and Dósa Nádor Square. Marking the anniversary of Debrecen as a free royal city, this five-day series of events is built on respect for tradition, community experiences, and the cultural diversity of the city, while offering something for all age groups.

One of the key messages of Debrecen City Days is that the values of the past and the communities of the present together shape the city’s identity; this is reflected in folk art presentations, performances by local artistic groups, and festive events.

Opening Ceremony and Heritage Events
The programme series begins on 7 April with a ceremonial opening on Kossuth Square, where, alongside a brief overview of the city’s history, students of Ady Secondary Grammar School will help launch the festive week.
On the opening day and in the days that follow, folk traditions will take centre stage: instrument demonstrations, folk singers, craft masters and dance ensembles will bring the values of Hungarian culture closer to visitors.
· Spectacular folk dance performances and dance-house events
· Live concerts (Heni Dér, Fruzsi Erdős, Zoltán Mága and many others)
· Craft fair and craft demonstrations
· Folk playground and children’s programmes
· “Open City Hall” – a journey back to the 17th century
· Community experiences and tasting opportunities

Full Programme

7 April
14:30 – Süveges Citera Group
14:45 – Csapókert Páva Circle
14:55 – folk singer Dr Lilla Tóth
15:10 – vocal performance by Melinda Dandé
15:30 – ceremonial opening, featuring drama students from Ady Endre Grammar School
17:00 – Pipás band

8 April
14:00 – Törköly Band and Gyönyörű Zsiga
14:30 – Sonivius Vappae
15:00 – Daldorf band
15:40 – performance and dance-house by the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble
17:00 – Lóri Heit’s band

9 April
14:00 – Homály Band
14:55 – performance by the Folk Music Department of the Debrecen Music School and the Pendely Vocal Ensemble Family
15:30 – performance and dance-house by the Debrecen Folk Ensemble
17:00 – live concert by Heni Dér with band

10 April
14:00 – Délibáb Nóta Association and the Bakator band
15:30 – performance and dance-house by the Főnix Dance Ensemble
17:00 – live concert by Fruzsi Erdős with band

11 April
10:00 – 1693 hearts, one poem (Kossuth Square)
Commemorating the founding of our city in 1693, this year we celebrate in a special way: 1,693 people reciting a poem together, paying tribute to our shared history.

City Day Flavours (Kossuth Square)
On the occasion of Debrecen City Day, with the contribution of the Debrecen Vocational Training Centre and the Hajdúság Gastronomy Club, a total of 1,693 portions of Debrecen-style paired sausage parcels will be prepared for tasting.

17:00 – concert by Zoltán Mága

All week long:
· Craft fair, product displays and folk playground by the Hajdú-Bihar County Folk Art Association and the Bihar County Folk Art Association
· 14 types of crafts: bead jewellery; gingerbread/felting; embroidery/cord work; weaving/candle making; traditional coat appliqué; basketry; straw weaving; woodworking; horn carving; textile dolls

Dósa Nádor Square

10 and 11 April
15:00–18:00 – “Mini Dance Showcase”, presentations by the city’s dance ensembles

Kölcsey Centre

11 April
14:00–18:00 – Heritage Family Day

Source: facebook.com | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)