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Swing Christmas by Bálint Gájer

Bálint Gájer is preparing for another large-scale Christmas concert. He gave his first big Advent concert six years ago in front of an audience of two thousand people, when he presented his Hungarian-language LP Swing Christmas. Let it snow, White Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Last Christmas - all sound familiar to the general public, but these world hits are rarely sung in Hungarian.  In addition to new covers of Gájer Bálint's album "Swing Christmas", the festive evening will also feature new original songs. The ten-piece orchestra of the singer, complemented by a chamber string orchestra, will provide the classic American Christmas atmosphere.  His illustrious guest will be the much-loved singer-actress Andrea Malek, who has received numerous important domestic awards and recognitions. Tickets can be purchased at Jegyvásárlás – Gagmanagement Date:11th of  December 2023, 7 p.m. Location: Reformed Great Church of Debrecen  Sources:kulturaonline.hu

The Nutcracker Dance-Play Performance of Csokonai National Theatre and Mask Art School

The audience is kindly invited to the Nutcracker ballet performance, which is guaranteed to enchant the hearts and transport everyone to the beautiful world of the winter holiday season. The story is magical and timeless; the tale of the Nutcracker is attractive and inspiring for all generations. The wonderful combination of dance and music will help spectators fly away to a world where dreams come true. Tickets can already be purchased at the theatre's site. Date: 16th of December, 10 a.m., 6 p.m. Location: Csokonai National Theater, FORUM - Latinovits room Source: Diótörő - tánc-játék előadás - Csokonai Nemzeti Színház & Maszk Művészeti Iskola előadása | Facebook

The Adventures of the Nutcracker Prince

Kodály Filharmónia Kossuth utca 1, debrecen, Hungary

The Christmas story comes to life through Tchaikovsky's wonderful ballet music and the details of E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale.  The storytelling performance of the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and Viktória Domján is conducted by Imre Kollár, the orchestra's permanent conductor. Snow is falling in thick flakes and covering the streets of the city. It's Christmas Eve. Guests arrive at Stahlbaum's house one by one, the last being Drosselmeyer, the handyman prankster, an old friend of the family. There is a Nutcracker in his bundle, whose figure leads us into the realm of fairy tales and dreams. Tchaikovsky's wonderful music has kept various adaptations of this story in the repertoire for over a hundred years, which are indispensable pieces of the Christmas season every child must hear once. Ticket price: HUF 2,000 (adult), HUF 1,500 (child) Program: Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a Contributor: Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Imre Kollár Date: 16th of December, 10 a.m.  Location: 1 Kossuth Street, Podium Room Source:  Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra 

Christmas Concert of Béla Pintér at Great Reformed Church

Great Reformed Church Piac u. 4-6, Debrecen, Hungary

The Christmas concert of Béla Pintér awaits visitors with a festive atmosphere on the 16th of December from 6 p.m. at the Reformed Great Church. The author-performer's Christmas songs will be played during the evening, but some well-known, traditional Christmas carols will also be performed to encourage the audience to sing along. Short, 1-2 minute messages will also be heard between the songs, so the concert promises to be a complex musical-spiritual experience. The duration of the performance is approx. 120 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at https://pinterbela.hu/. Date:16th of December, 6 p.m. Location: Reformed Great Church Source:PINTÉR BÉLA KARÁCSONYI KONCERTJE A NAGYTEMPLOMBAN | Facebook

The Nutcracker – Screening of Royal Opera House Performances in Apolló Cinema

The famous Royal Opera House returns to the Apolló cinema this year as well, and the audience can see the performances via live satellite replay screenings. Contrary to the practice of previous years, this time, the viewers can always see the latest plays on the first Sunday after the live broadcast, at a family-friendly time at 3 p.m. On the 17th of December, in a renewed arrangement of The Nutcracker, the performance of the Royal Ballet can be seen. In this unforgettable classical ballet, Julia Trevelyan Oman's timeless visuals lend a festive feel to Peter Wright's beloved Royal Ballet production, and the fairytale magic is matched by spectacular dance production. Choreographer: Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky The program time is 165 minutes with one break (exact information about the length can be expected later).  Tickets are available online and at the Apolló cinema box office. Standard ticket: HUF 2,500 Child/Student/Pensioner/Teacher ticket: HUF 2,000  Date: 17th of November, 3 p.m. Location: Apolló Cinema Source: Apolló Cinema Further screenings in Apolló Cinema: Macmillan: Manon Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillan, Composer: Jules Frédéric Massenet Date: 21st February 2024, 3 p.m. Puccini: Miss Butterfly Conductor: Kevin John Eduse, Director: Moshe Leiser and […]

Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season Programs

“The two countries are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and the establishment of Hungarian-Turkish diplomatic relations with a year-long Hungarian-Turkish cultural season that starts on the 18th of December and takes place in both countries”,  the minister responsible for culture and innovation János Csák announced. On the anniversary, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also visit Budapest. The minister highlighted the purpose of the season is to support the excellent relations between the two countries that go back decades with the means of culture, to strengthen our cultural presence in each other's countries. János Csák recalled that Hungarian-Turkish diplomatic relations are officially one hundred years old, but the history of the two countries goes back much longer, so it is important to "reinforce friendship, respect for each other, and recognition of each other's dignity from time to time". The minister put it this way: “The season's purpose is to denote the points that connect the two countries beyond the individual levels and the anniversary through the arts, science, and innovations”. The minister called the initiative of ‘strategic importance’ to deepen the understanding between the two countries beyond the highest political level at the […]

Budapest Bar Advent Concert

Kölcsey Center Bethlen u., 4026, Debrecen, Hungary

Budapest Bar Band comes to Debrecen again with many new songs and old favourites.  A fantastic evening at the Budapest Bar always fills one's heart with excellent songs, great arrangements, outstanding musicians and great singers.  Unclouded entertainment, drama, love, disappointment, joy and joyful music await the audience for almost two hours.  Performers this time are Dóri Behumi, Juci Németh, Bori Rutkai, Bora Ferenczi, György Ferenczi, Frenk, László Kollár-Klemencz and Krisztián Szűcs. Tickets are available at: https://tixa.hu/BB_20231218_kolcsey Date: 18 December, 7 p.m. Location:Kölcsey Center Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/1553383242073928/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Magnificat 300 – Psalmus 100 – Classical Concert in Kölcsey Center

Kölcsey Center Bethlen u., 4026, Debrecen, Hungary

The audience can meet the Prima award-winning orchestra on the 19th of December when two birthdays are celebrated: Zoltán Kodály's Psalmus Hungaricus is 100 years old, and Bach's Magnificat is 300 years old this year.  Both works can be enjoyed by the Kodály Philharmonic, the Kodály Choir and the Lautitia choir family.  The concert MAGNIFICAT 300 - PSALM 100 will be presented with a performance by Dr. Gergely Fazakas, a Reformation researcher and conducted by Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, the chief music director of the city of Debrecen.  Program: Psalmus Hungaricus and J. S. Bach: Magnificat with the lecture of Dr. Gergely Fazakas, reformation researcher. Contributors:  István Kovácsházi - vocals Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and Kodály Choir Lautitia Children's Choir and Lautitia Youth Choir  Ticket prices: 3500 HUF, 2700 HUF Date: 19th December, 7 p.m.  Location: Kölcsey Center, Big Hall   Source: https://www.kodalykorus.hu/content/756/1/kodaly-filharmonikusok/zeneben-gazdag-debreceni-december?l=en Kodály Filharmonikusok Debrecen - MAGNIFICAT 300 – PSALMUS 100 (kodalyfilharmonikusok.hu)  

Fundraising Program for Shelter Dogs

With citizen cooperation, a ‘Santa Claus’ dog walk was organised for the first weekend of Advent at the shelters of the Together for the Protection of Animals Association and Dog House Association. This time, they wanted to draw attention to the action and responsible animal husbandry with a joint walk, which was joined by families, civilians and the local government representative of the district. ‘Debrecen is a city that builds on communities, human communities, but the background power of human communities is provided by these four-legged animals, cats and dogs, who are waiting for us at home. Whether it's a rainy day or a happy day or there is sadness or joy, they always welcome us home with sparkling eyes, and we must not forget that’ local government representative Zoltán Piros pointed out at the event. The two organisations will receive the donations this year collected for their benefit through the national fundraising program called the Advent Civilian Fair. The national fundraising program was launched by the Citizens for The Youth  Association (Civilek a Fiatalokért Egyesület)  and the Hajdú-Bihar County Civilian Community Service Center. Until the 20th of December, they mainly collect dry food, medicines and vitamins for the four-legged […]

Concert of Animus Csengettyű Ensemble

Kossuth tér Kossuth tér

The members of the Animus Csengettyű (‘Bell’) Ensemble from Miskolc have been playing together since 2008. They have set themselves the goal of popularising the genre of bell chiming and the classics of music literature. Their repertoire includes more than a hundred works, which ensures that there are suitable pieces for every occasion, be it a charity ball, a village day, church celebrations, or Advent concerts, which perfectly match the sound. On the closing day of Advent in Debrecen, Christmas tunes create an intimate atmosphere at the city's Christmas tree. Members: Ildikó Ágoston, Ferenc Czentnár, Ferenc Dézsi, Krisztina Gottner, Zsuzsa Kerekes, Katalin Kovácsné Gávay, Iván Nagy, Sára Ágota Szternai Tóthné. Date: 23rd December, 5.00 p.m. - 5.40 p.m. Location: Advent Fair Source: Animus Csengettyű Együttes - Debreceni Advent : Debreceni Advent

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle

The Advent series ends with the lighting of the fourth Advent candle on Saturday, on the 23rd of December, at 4 p.m. Speeches are given by Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs, the vicar of the Hungarian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Debrecen Barnabás Sipos and the Italian missionary Roberto Mattina. Contributors: Luca Márkus actor Gergely Dánielfy actor and singer Lautitia Choir Family The choir of the Debrecen Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Parish  Dániel Sárosi organist Hanna Jantyik, flute artist Zsolt Dombovári cellist artist Debrecen Folk Association Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble Kuckó Art Farm Bíró Orchestra The flame of Bethlehem comes to Debrecen with the help of the 43rd Főnix Scout Team, and anyone can take it to their home at the end of the evening; the entrance is free. Source:Meghitt muzsikával telik meg a debreceni Csonkatemplom - Debrecen hírei, debreceni hírek | Debrecen és Hajdú-Bihar megye hírei - Dehir.hu  

Traditional Christmas cuisine in Hungary

Dinner on the 24th of December usually starts between 4 pm and 7 pm, with a variety of meat dishes, fish, bun dumplings and apple pie. In the past, most traditional peasant foods were associated with superstitions; for example, poppy, beans and peas symbolised abundance, while apples were associated with fertility. Other foods were also served at bourgeois and aristocratic tables. In winter, there was an enormous choice of wild meats (pheasant, deer), sea and freshwater fish, poultry and turkey. The Christmas buffet has changed a lot Nowadays, the Hungarian Christmas menu usually includes fish soup, fried fish, stuffed cabbage, meat soup, and stuffed turkey. In addition to the above, salads with mayonnaise are common, the most common being potato salad with mayonnaise and French salad. Among the pastries, the most common are pastries with nuts, poppy seeds and chestnuts, as well as pogácsa, linzer, zserbó and hókifli. Source: szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu