Debrecen4U August 14, 2025

Gateway Between Past and Present – Batthyány Street Mural Unveiled

Debrecen’s fifth public mural now enriches the city’s visual identity.

On the wall of the passageway between Batthyány Street and Jászai Mari Square, a monumental version of János Józsa’s 1968 linocut has been unveiled, evoking the atmosphere of Batthyány Street in the 1960s. Its nostalgic tone offers space for reflection and communal memory.

At the unveiling, Deputy Mayor István Puskás emphasized: “This creation is more than mere street decoration. It’s a communal memory point that recalls stories and strengthens the sense of belonging. Shared roots and narratives are the strongest cohesive forces in a community’s life. That’s why it’s important to have places in the city where works about Debrecen identity—about us and our stories—are born, not just within museum walls but in public spaces as well.” He added that the mural speaks to both locals and visitors.

Mária Bíró Józsáné, widow of the original linocut’s creator, shared personal memories of János Józsa’s art and character. She highlighted her commitment to preserving his extensive body of work. Regarding the newly unveiled mural, she expressed amazement at how the texture and fine details of the linocut were successfully translated into such a large-scale format.

Street artist Tamás Vékony, head of Grafik Trafik, thanked his colleagues and friends for their assistance in bringing the project to fruition. “It was an incredible experience to bring János Józsa’s work to life in this form,” he said, and gave the audience insight into the mural’s creation process. He noted that he slightly adjusted the colors to ensure the artwork’s long-term durability on the wall.

According to city plans, more murals may appear in the Batthyány Street area in the future. This could lead to the development of an open-air gallery that brings Debrecen’s graphic art traditions closer to the public.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu