Debrecen4U December 4, 2025

Nativity groups arrive in Debrecen from Hungary and beyond

A tradition that has been around for decades will be revived this December, when one hundred and fifty traditionalists will revive the most beautiful rituals of the Christmas holiday season in the “cívis” city.

The Debrecen Nativity Scene Meeting, jointly organized by VOKE and DEMKI, will be held this year again, which has been one of the outstanding events in the city’s Advent program series for many years.

This year’s event offers visitors a special opportunity to delve into the world of folk customs of the Carpathian Basin, as the organizers are welcoming performers from across the border; visitors can watch the nativity plays performed by tradition-keepers from Csíkszentkirály and Nagyléta.

Eleven groups, a total of one hundred and fifty nativity scenes, will participate in the meeting, arriving from the Highlands, Székelyföld, and various settlements in Hajdú-Bihar County to present the unique dramatic plays of their regions.

The central venue of the event will be the Podium Hall of the Vojtina Puppet Theatre on Kossuth Street, where the groups will perform the ritual plays faithfully to tradition.

Visitors can also meet them on the main stage of the Debrecen Advent on Kossuth Square, where the folk interpretation of the biblical story will come to life under the city’s Christmas tree.

The program series will be further enriched by the “Luca” Day Folk Art Fair and Crafts Exhibition organized at DEMKI’s Tannery House, which offers meaningful recreation for those interested in craft traditions. (Luca Day on December 13 is a traditional Hungarian feast day honoring Saint Lucia, rich in folk customs, superstitions, and Advent rituals.)

The organizers are preparing a full-day program; the event will be held on December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• As one of the highlights of the program, from 2:00 p.m. the next generation of folk dancers will take the stage: under the guidance of folk dance educator Péter László Puskás, students from the folk dance department of Medgyessy Ferenc Grammar School, School of Arts, and Technical School will perform, enchanting the audience with their dances.
• One of the afternoon’s most spectacular highlights promises to be the “Witch-Shoeing” demonstration. During this uniquely named event, visitors can admire the work of master blacksmith Antal Szekeres, joined by dancers from the Derecske Szivárvány Folk Dance Ensemble, combining artisanal craftsmanship with dance traditions.

The nativity performances and related programs are free to attend, so everyone has the opportunity to be part of this special cultural heritage. Organizers warmly welcome both children and adults to join in and get into the spirit of the upcoming Christmas season.

Source and photo credit:dehir.hu