Continues its initiative launched last year, the city of Debrecen once again celebrates International Dance Day with a week-long array of events and activities, drawing attention to the city’s rich dance life between 25 April and 3 May at numerous locations across Debrecen.

Discover the world of dance – competitions, workshops, performances and free programmes for all ages!

PROGRAMME

25–26 April, 9.00 | VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Centre
Dance of the Year 2026 – International Qualifying and Award Ceremony Dance Competition
Organiser: Positive Dance Dance Academy – Pozitív Centrum Dance Arts Association

28 and 30 April | Open dance class with Level Up Dance Studio
16:15–17:15 beginner
17:15–18:15 intermediate/advanced

28 April, 17.00–18.00 | Open stage rehearsal – Mind the Body contemporary dance performance
Venue: Csokonai Forum, Zoltán Latinovits Hall
Organiser/participant: Gradient Contemporary Ballet – the contemporary dance division of Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen
Description: The international team of dancers is now preparing the premiere of Mind the Body with Hungarian and Spanish creators. This is a two-part contemporary dance evening exploring the relationship between body and mind, revealing two distinct worlds:
– WALL – where the body is both support and boundary, presence and limitation
– NOISE – where internal and external sounds merge, keeping the mind in constant motion
We welcome all who are interested in how a performance is built from two different worlds of body and mind.

28 April, 18.00 | Free Latin Fitness Dance Class for adults
Venue: Pozitív Centrum, Debrecen, Domb Street 1, 2nd floor

29 April, 17.00 | Move Debrecen Flashmob
Venue: Kossuth Square

29 April, 19.00 | International Dance Day Folk Dance Gala performed by Forgórózsa Dance Ensemble
Venue: VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Centre

30 April, 16.00 | Indian afternoon and belly dance organised by the Debrecen Creative Community
Venue: Batthyány Street

30 April, 17.00 | Free Latin Fitness Dance Class for youngsters (ages 10-18)
Venue: Pozitív Centrum, Debrecen, Domb Street 1, 2nd floor

1 May, 11.00–12:30 | Contemporary dance workshop
Venue: Csokonai Forum, Ballet Hall (30 Csapó Street)
Organiser/participant: Gradient Contemporary Ballet – the contemporary dance division of Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen
The workshop has limited capacity and requires registration: https://forms.gle/3CzoNcuBfcNPPQdp7

Are you curious about how movement can become a tool for self-observation? The workshop for the Mind the Body performance is based on the two worlds of the upcoming production, WALL and NOISE, offering personal experience through them.
The section connected to WALL is led by Spanish guest choreographer Javier Ara, where the process begins with words and questions and unfolds through movement, gradually transforming thought into physical experience. Starting from this attention, participants explore their own movement language by tuning into their bodies and the present moment, where technique becomes a personal and spontaneous process.
The world of NOISE is led by Edit Domoszlai. Inspiration comes, among other things, from the concept of neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, according to which multiple “selves” operate within us simultaneously. During the session, these qualities become perceptible through movement: structural, observational, emotional and intuitive layers appear side by side and transform into one another.
The bilingual (English–Hungarian) workshop is open to anyone who would like to experience how movement can become a tool for attention, self-awareness and expression. No prior dance experience is required – only curiosity and comfortable clothing.

2 May, 10.00 | 8th Grand Dance Selection – “Choose dance! Choose a dance!”
Free dance experience for all ages!
Venue: Kölcsey Centre
On the occasion of World Dance Day, initiated by the National Association of Dance Teachers and the Hungarian Dance University, the 8th Grand Dance Selection will once again be held, welcoming dance enthusiasts and those who would like to discover this wonderful form of movement as part of a nationwide series of events, including in Debrecen.
The Debrecen programme has been realised through the cooperation of Modern Dance-Play Studio and Főnix Event Organising Ltd., with the support of the City of Debrecen.

2 May | 8th Grand Dance Selection – Film screenings
Venue: Apolló Cinema
On the occasion of World Dance Day and the Grand Dance Selection, we welcome audiences with special films at Apolló Cinema, where three iconic dance films showcase the magic of movement, passion and art.
Screenings and times:
16:15 – Happy Feet
18:15 – Hungarian Wedding
20:15 – Flashdance
*The programme is free of charge; tickets for the selected film will soon be available via the Apolló Cinema programme interface.

3 May, 16.00 | “I Dreamt of Flowers” – performance by Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble
Venue: Kölcsey Centre
Since 1953, the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble has preserved, nurtured and enriched our folk culture with unwavering enthusiasm and dedication. Their work is marked by prestigious awards such as the Europe Prize for Folk Art, the Mihály Csokonai Vitéz Community Award, the Pro Urbe Award of the City of Debrecen, and the Hungarian Heritage Award.
Every generation of the ensemble has consistently achieved the highest “Gold I” and “Excellent Ensemble” classifications in the most prestigious professional qualification system for dance ensembles.
In their festive programme, the entire 350-member community – from preschool children to senior dancers – takes to the stage together to showcase the strength and beauty of tradition.

Source: debreceniprogramok.com | Photo credit: dehir.hu