Debrecen4U October 1, 2025

Great Forest Week 2025

This year, the program series titled “Great Forest Week,” celebrating Hungary’s most beautiful forest, the Great Forest in Debrecen, will take place for the sixth time between October 8 and 11. A press conference was held at the Karakter 1517 Bookstore and Café on September 30, 2025, to provide details about the event.

Deputy Mayor István Puskás expressed it as follows: “We love something well when we protect it, nurture it, and ensure that it remains alive and vibrant. We are not only preparing to celebrate the Great Forest Week but also to shape attitudes and draw attention to this common value and the common responsibility that represents the future of this common value.” He noted that on Thursday it will be revealed which city will be awarded the title of European Green Capital in 2027, and since Debrecen is among the candidates, this could make the Great Forest Week even more special.

János Mazsu, the chairman of the Debrecen Heritage Committee (Debreceni Értéktár Bizottság), said that the Nagyerdő Day is officially October 10, and the initiative was launched six years ago, during which we celebrate the Great Forest, which was voted the most beautiful forest in the country last year, over several days. The chairman described the events taking place during the Great Forest Week as a program picnic, where everyone brings with them what they consider valuable, and in this way we can give something back to the Great Forest from what we receive from it.

Lajos Juhász, the forestry director of the Debrecen Forestry of Nyírerdő Zrt., highlighted that we have a huge responsibility to ensure that the Great Forest is preserved and sustainable and that the Civaqua program can play an important role in this. Speaking about the programs, he highlighted that interested parties not only can get to know the Great Forest, but also those interested can see a hunting dog demonstration for the whole morning.

Zoltán Váradi, the executive director of the Nagyerdei Cultural Park, reminded that the Great Forest in Debrecen was entered into the nature conservation register on October 10, 1939, with a serial number of one. As he noted, the animal protection theme week has already begun, and they are preparing for the World Animal Day, which will take place within a few days andwill be joined by the Great Forest Week.

Edit Bódor, the president of the Debrecen Charity Board, spoke about the family day in Sziget-kék, organized by the Debrecen Charity Board, celebrating its tenth anniversary. “The organization was established on October 8, 2015, and its main goal was to bring together organizations with professional backgrounds who can work together in aid operations and city assistance and provide support to families in need in the city,” she explained.

As she said, on Saturday within the Great Forest Week program series, all 30 member organizations will be represented in some form and will welcome families with exhibitions, music, and gastronomic specialties, among other things.

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The program series celebrating the Great Forest is organized by the Municipality of Debrecen, the Debrecen Heritage Committee, Future of Debrecen, the Debrecen Forestry of Nyírerdő Zrt., Médiacentrum Debrecen, and numerous cooperating partners between October 8 and 11.

The Hortobágy National Park Directorate, the Méliusz Juhász Péter Library, the Nagyerdei Cultural Park, the Debrecen Photo Club, the Nagyerdő Társaság (Great Forest Society), Természettár (nature-focused educational initiative in Debrecen), the Fresh Oxygen Foundation, the DVSC Football Academy, “Move, Debrecen!”, the Agora Science Center, DKSI Debrecen Cycling Sports and Leisure Youth Association, the Debrecen Bicycle Museum, the Nordic Walking Debrecen Sports Association, the DEMKI Borsos-villa Community House, and VisitDebrecen are participating in the implementation of the program series.

Programs of the Great Forest Week:

October 8–12
Window Display at Kígyó Pharmacy (corner of Széchenyi St. and Piac St.)
Photo Exhibition: “The Wildlife of Debrecen and Its Surroundings”
Organized by the Friends of the City.
The exhibition aims to promote the protection of natural values and to showcase the locally found protected flora and fauna.

October 8–11
Great Forest (Nagyerdő) Tram Ride
Nature returns to the DKV trams—this time with the wonderful animals of the Great Forest. From the start of service on October 8 until the end of service on October 11, passengers on tram lines 1 and 2 will hear the sounds of various forest animals through the speakers, while the display screens will show stunning images of these creatures.

Wednesday, October 8
3:00 PM – The Hidden Faces of Great Forest (Nagyerdő)
Presentation by the Debrecen Photo Club
András Máthé, head of the Debrecen Photo Club, will showcase how to capture unconventional landscape photos across different seasons. Attendees will also enjoy a slideshow of award-winning animal and plant photographs by István Tamás Vida. The one-hour presentation is free, but registration is required. Due to limited capacity at Agóra, early registration is recommended via this form: https://forms.office.com/e/KSrBAv05zq

3.00–3.45 PM – Secrets of the Botanical Garden
Parking lot in front of the Agora building.
What does the Lombardy poplar have to do with northern Italy? What do the breathing roots of the bald cypress look like? And why might climbing a paper mulberry tree be risky?
During this guided walk through the Botanical Garden, participants will admire blooming flowers and explore historic paths—many of which were designed in the early 20th century under the leadership of botanist Rezső Soó.
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Recommended attire: suitable for a forest walk
In case of rain, the program will be cancelled.
Please register here: https://forms.office.com/e/dDycwrwZKy
Attendance is limited, and each person may register up to four additional guests.

Thursday, October 9
8:30 AM – Mist Theatre (Aquaticum tram stop)
Heart-Friendly Thematic Walk
Organized by Mozdulj Debrecen
Route: 4 km around the Nagyerdei Stadium

9:00 AM – Day of the Great Forest (Nagyerdő)
Location: Nyírerdő Zrt. – Debrecen Office (4032 Debrecen, Kartács Street 25)
It’s been 86 years since the Great Forest was declared a protected area. Commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony at the three memorial columns marking the forest’s protected status. Featuring performances by folk singer Ildikó Bárdosi and violinist/forester Miklós Molnár.

Daytime Activities:

• Craft demonstrations and workshops: wood carving and gingerbread making
• 9:30 AM – Hunting dog breed showcase
• 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – Children’s performances by Kuckó Művésztanya
• “I’ll Be a Little Forester!” – Kádár Ferkó’s Photo Theatre:Visitors can take photos in front of illustrated backdrops depicting forester and hunter scenes. Photos will be sent via email in an eco-friendly format.
• Archery in the small forest

Forest School Programs for Children:

• Nature trail tours
• Traditional folk games
• Quiz
• Giant board games – “Forest Steward” and “Fairy Tale Adventure”
• Continuous screening of Nyírerdő Zrt. films
• Oak wreath tug-of-war competition for children’s teams and families

Participation is free, but advance registration is required. Register via email: gonczics.nyert@outlook.hu 

2:00 PM – DEMKI Borsos Villa Community House 

Opening of the Exhibition: “Chamomile Blossoms of the Great Plain and Folk ”Medicine”—Organized by Természettár

The queen of medicinal herbs needs no introduction—everyone knows chamomile, used in healing for centuries. This exhibition by Természettár showcases both well-known and lesser-known Hungarian herbs, explores folk healing traditions, and highlights related Hungarian specialties (Hungarikum). The exhibition will be opened with an interactive guided tour led by Zoltán Váradi, head of Természettár.

3.00–3.45 PM – Secrets of the Botanical Garden
Parking lot in front of the Agora building
What does the Lombardy poplar have to do with northern Italy? What do the breathing roots of the bald cypress look like? And why might climbing a paper mulberry tree be risky?
During this guided walk through the Botanical Garden, participants will admire blooming flowers and explore historic paths—many of which were designed in the early 20th century under the leadership of botanist Rezső Soó.
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Recommended attire: suitable for a forest walk
In case of rain, the program will be cancelled.
Please register here: https://forms.office.com/e/dDycwrwZKy
Attendance is limited, and each person may register up to four additional guests.

Friday, October 10 

10:30 AM – Déri Museum, 1st Floor Permanent Exhibition In Search of the Little Inhabitants of Great Forest (Nagyerdő)—Renowned entomologists in Debrecen’s recent past. Guided tour by senior museologist Szilveszter Mező in the permanent exhibition “Great Forest (Nagyerdő)—The Treasury of Nature.”

1:00 PM – Déri Museum Café 
“Bug-Loving” Museologists 
Guided tour by Szilveszter Mező of the chamber exhibition commemorating biologists János Ötvös (1911–1991) and Márton Levente Lovas (1944–2022), former museum colleagues. Participation is free. Part of the KultKredit program.

3.00–3.45 PM – Secrets of the Botanical Garden
Parking lot in front of the Agora building
What does the Lombardy poplar have to do with northern Italy? What do the breathing roots of the bald cypress look like? And why might climbing a paper mulberry tree be risky?
During this guided walk through the Botanical Garden, participants will admire blooming flowers and explore historic paths—many of which were designed in the early 20th century under the leadership of botanist Rezső Soó.
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Recommended attire: suitable for a forest walk
In case of rain, the program will be cancelled.
Please register here: https://forms.office.com/e/dDycwrwZKy
Attendance is limited, and each person may register up to four additional guests.

5:00 PM –  Hiking and Stargazing in the Great Forest (Nagyerdő): Then and Now 
MÉLIUSZ Central Library Local History Department
A slideshow presentation by astronomer and hiking guide György Zajácz 
The event is free, but registration is required via email: helyismeret@meliusz.hu

Saturday, October 11

10:00 AM – OXIGÉN CUP Forest Running Race 

Location: Debrecen, Nagyerdő, 500 meters from the corner of the cemetery (entrance via Gate 3 of the Public Cemetery, at the roundabout, heading into the forest). 
For the first time, families can also enter the race. 
Registration: http://sportstopper.hu/sportido-web/faces/oxigen.xhtml

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Family Day at Sziget-Kék 

Organized by the Debrecen Charity Board in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
All-day programs include demonstrations, children’s activities, nature-themed games, and concerts.
Partners: Debrecen Charity Board, Future of Debrecen, Természettár, Hortobágy National Park Directorate, Nordic Walking Debrecen Sports Association, DKSI Debrecen Cycling and Youth Leisure Association, DVSC Football Academy, and organizer Péter Pataki (REL)

10:00 AM – Meeting Point: In front of Pálma Restaurant, Nature of Debrecen Walk. During the walk, participants may encounter southward-migrating birds, amphibians, and reptiles of Békás Lake and explore the stations of the Bird Housing Park promenade, along with the conservation tools placed there.

Guided by: Dr. Csaba Aradi, ecologist and member of the Green Working Group; and Ádám Lenner, conservation and landscape management expert at the Tiszatáj Public Foundation, also a member of the Green Working Group.

Starting Point: Sziget-Kék

• 10:00 AM – Happy Walking—Led by Nordic Walking Debrecen Sports Association
• 11:30 AM – Recreational Walking – Led by Nordic Walking Debrecen Sports Association
• 2:00 PM – Guided Nature Walk in the Great Forest (Nagyerdő)—Organized by the Hortobágy National Park Directorate, Departure from the Hortobágy Pavilion in the Sziget-Kék Thematic Park

Participants will learn about the wildlife visible in the autumn forest, the area’s natural values and forest types, and the challenges of maintaining near-natural woodland. The walk covers approximately 6 km and lasts up to 3 hours. Those not wishing to complete the full route may shorten their walk by returning to the city independently via Pallagi Road.
Registration: https://forms.gle/xBdPckN27isjYZzs5 

Stage Programs Featuring Member Organizations of the Debrecen Charity Board:

• 10:00 AM – Valcer Majorette Show
• 11:00 AM – Kiss Kata Band Concert
• 12:00 PM – Birthday Cake Celebration
• 1:30 PM – Great Forest (Nagyerdő) Acoustic Performance plus many surprise programs throughout the day

All-Day Activities and Demonstrations (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

• Természettár & Nagyerdei Kultúrpark Interactive, educational nature-themed activities
• Future of Debrecen & Green Watch Team: Environmental awareness programs

Visitors will be introduced to the Green Watch website, part of Debrecen’s Environmental Monitoring System, showing station locations and types of measurements. You can view air quality and noise monitoring devices up close—and even test the noise meter by shouting “Green Watch” to see how many decibels you reach! Children will enjoy coloring and awareness-raising games and receive small gifts.

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Nordic Walking Debrecen Sports Association: Continuous demonstrations, quizzes, puzzles, Q&A, prize draws, and family walking sessions
• DEMKI Craft Corner with animators from the DEMKI Borsos Villa Community House

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Hortobágy National Park Directorate—Interactive mobile exhibition on Natura 2000 areas of the Hajdúság–South Nyírség region, with nature-themed games
• DKSI Debrecen Cycling and Youth Leisure Association & Debrecen Bicycle Museum—Bike skill courses and education on cycling safety and the bicycle as a sport tool.

October 11–12, Nagyerdei Stadium, Northern Event Area III. Debrecen Sokadalom (Debrecen Grand Fair)

Due to popular demand, the third Debrecen Sokadalom will take place. This event blends a traditional fair atmosphere with modern-day needs and innovations. In the spirit of heritage, visitors will discover treasures that meet today’s standards—offering fun for all ages.

The goal is to organize a fair that honors Debrecen’s market traditions while showcasing the best of its fair culture, pointing toward the future and demonstrating how past, present, and future can come together in harmony.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu