On the 7th of  December from 5:00 p.m., the exhibition "Learning from nature? - Botany" opens in the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art. Debrecen has occupied a special place in the history of Hungarian botany for centuries. With the Herbarium (1578) by Péter Juhász Méliusz and the two-volume Hungarian Herbarium (1807), the basic handbook of Sámuel Diószegi and Mihály Fazekas, the city has long been considered the Hungarian centre of botany and natural sciences. MODEM's latest exhibition builds on this diverse heritage, showcasing Debrecen's unique nature collections and attractions, such as the Debrecen Reformed College Museum, the University of Debrecen Botanical Garden and the Hortobágy National Park. "Learning from nature? - Botany” exhibition is a good example of everything we love about MODEM. The artworks on display were all created for the exhibition. They are the fruit of workshops, the joint thinking of several disciplines, the exchange of experiences between artists at the beginning of their careers and experienced artists, the result of collaboration between artists from Debrecen and from far away countries. On the other hand they are connected to the history and culture of Debrecen by a thousand threads, which, I am confident, will strengthen the position […]

A spectacular exhibition opens at the New Town Hall Gallery on Kálvint Square on the 16th of  January at 4:00 p.m. The exhibiting artists are illustrator and painter, winner of the 2024 Kölcsey Ferenc Fellowship, Alexandra Grela and visual artist, Ábel Kónya. One of the emblematic figures of Debrecen and Hungarian literary history is Magda Szabó, whose best-known novel is perhaps "Abigél", translated into several languages. In 2024, Alexandra Grela created a new cycle of images for this volume, which matches the style and approach of her literary illustrations of recent years. The technique of the works utilizes the artist's experience in the field of graphic design, while also relying on the drawing, collage and painting patterns characteristic of her earlier creative periods. The exhibition will be opened by Deputy Mayor, István Puskás with the participation of flustist, Hanna Jantyik. The exhibition is linked to the Hungarian Culture Day event and will be open until the 14th of February at the New Town Hall.   Date: 16 January - 14 February Location:New Town Hall   Source and photo credit:dehir.hu

Butterflies take centre stage in the new exhibition of Természettár (Debrecen-based amateur nature conservation group). Colourful creatures that have conquered the air, flying from flower to flower, in meadows, forests and urban parks. Visitors can take a peek into their peculiar lives and development, and even find out what can be  done to protect them. All nature lovers are welcome to discover the wonderful world of butterflies together. The exhibition will open on the 12th of February  at 2:00 p.m. Organisers are looking forward to welcoming all interested parties.   Date: 12-26 February Location: Méliusz Library Source:debrecen.imami.hu

 Gradient Contemporary Ballet  awaits dance and art enthusiasts for their new performance in February. The new piece, "Reverie" with its premiere on the 7th of Friday, will offer a special experience for the audience. About the performance: The French word "Reverie," which denotes a dreamy, introspective, or contemplative state, is where the evening gets its name. The program, which consists of two pieces, transports viewers to the realm of dreams and desires, where the dancers delve into the depths of human existence. First Act: Sirius The poem From Soul to Soul by Árpád Tóth, which uses the metaphor of the great distances between stars to illustrate the difficulties of connection, served as the inspiration for the composition Sirius.  Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky and a symbol of both hope and the mystery of the far unknown, is mentioned in the title. In an attempt to find the answer to Tóth's moving query, "Is it Sirius that lies farther from me, or a companion—oh, who can tell?" The work explores the difficulties of overcoming distances as well as the contrasts between light and darkness. Music: Erkki-Sven Tüür, The Winged Victory for the Sullen   Act Two: Fine Day […]

The Modem Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art invites the public to the opening of the exhibition, "Origin" on Saturday the 8th of February at 4:00 p.m. The exhibition interprets the five books of Moses through the works of contemporary Hungarian artists from the perspective of the 21st century man. It aims to draw visitors' attention not only to the well-known scenes of the Old Testament, but also to their specific interpretations and topicalities. Four years ago, the exhibition “Evangelium  21” was presented at MODEM, highlighting twelve messages from the four Gospels of the New Testament. This is what exhibition “Origin”, which deals with the foundations of Christian and Jewish culture, now reflects on. The works are part of Levente Kovács' private collection. Similar to “Evangelium 21”, this time twelve artists, who have previously dealt with religious themes, were asked to realise the exhibition. The artists created their works in collaboration with theologian József Zsengellér, so the paintings, installations, graphics, animations and photographs came together to form a coordinated artistic ensemble. The pieces of the collection, in addition to their unique message, focus on modern man in the interpretation of archaic texts. Using contemporary artistic tools, they try to find […]