Debrecen4U
December 8, 2025
Mihály Munkácsy’s world-famous masterpiece is being reimagined with 155,000 LEGO bricks
The LEGO mosaic, consisting of eight panels, nearly two and a half meters high and almost four meters wide, will be displayed to the public on December 13 in the Dome Hall opposite the Munkácsy Hall of the Déri Museum.
This year, from November 11 to December 13, students from several primary schools in Debrecen and interested families are building a paraphrase of Mihály Munkácsy’s painting Ecce Homo out of LEGO bricks.
The largest work to date, built from more than one hundred and fifty-five thousand LEGO bricks, shows the power of playful learning and community cooperation. It also aims to set an example of how to address children and arouse their interest in museums and the world of art. The unique project is being implemented in cooperation with the Déri Museum, the Nyíregyháza based LEGO Manufacturing Kft., the “tekerd!” group of the disadvantaged young people of the Nyíregyháza SZC Wesselényi Miklós Technical School, the Debrecen School District Center, the Nyíregyháza Vocational Training Center, and the students of Debrecen—including children with hearing impairments and speech disorders.
The LEGO community adventure began on November 11 at Debrecen Vénkerti Primary School, continued on November 14 at Debrecen Benedek Elek Primary School, and on November 21 reached two more venues: Debrecen Dózsa György Primary School in the morning and Debrecen Fazekas Mihály Primary School in the afternoon.
At each school, participants followed the creative method developed by the “tekerd!” group of the Nyíregyháza SZC Wesselényi Miklós Technical School. Using small color and tone maps, they carefully arranged image units, which were then secured onto boards by the young members of the professional team.
The grand joint construction—open to registered school and family communities—will culminate on December 12 and 13 in the Ceremonial Hall of the Déri Museum. Among the participants will be children with disabilities from the Debrecen Institution for the Hearing Impaired and students from the University of Debrecen’s Kossuth Lajos Practice School, all working under the guidance of teacher Anna Káli.
On Saturday afternoon, the adventure will reach its highlight: the installation of all eight completed panels in the museum’s Dome Hall, presented to the public during a press event.
The multifaceted collaboration is based on the LEGO Group and Déri Museum’s museum education program, which emphasizes learning through play, hands-on research, and teamwork. Students can not only gain insights into art‑historical connections, but also acquire systemic perspectives and community experiences.
At the event’s announcement briefing, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa highlighted that the program is first and foremost about community building, carrying educational, cultural, and social significance. He also emphasized that the project demonstrates new ways to engage children and inspire their curiosity about museums and the world of art.
The paraphrased painting will remain on display until the end of January 2026, offering visitors an extended opportunity to experience the collaborative work. As a multi-stakeholder initiative, the project pursues several interconnected goals.
Alongside the special exhibition, and with the support of the LEGO factory, the organizers are opening a LEGO Art Playhouse in the Déri Museum Café. Operating during regular museum hours, the playhouse invites children—under parental supervision—to unleash their creativity with LEGO elements. The artworks created will be showcased online, where visitors can vote for their favorites through the museum’s social media channels.
“With the help of LEGO, the Tekerd group in Nyíregyháza, the schools in Debrecen, the school district, and the vocational training center, we can bring the experience of art and the message of love of the Advent holiday season to children, which they may be able to experience most directly here,” János Angi, Director of the Déri Museum, said.
The two creators of the work that receives the most votes will each receive a valuable LEGO ART set at the closing of the exhibition.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
