Debrecen4U January 14, 2026

New “Move, Debrecen!” Venue Opens at Kinizsi Pál Elementary School

Those interested can now regularly join indoor Zumba, spine‑strengthening, and body‑shaping aerobics classes organized by the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative in the sports hall of Debrecen Kinizsi Pál Primary School. Beginning January 12, 2026, the sessions take place three times a week—on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings.

The details were presented at a press conference on January 13, 2026, by Deputy Mayor Diána Széles; Csaba Papp, Head of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement; municipal councilor Edina Szilágyi; and Zoltán Piros, principal of Debrecen Kinizsi Pál Primary School.

According to Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, it is a great pleasure that the “Move, Debrecen!” movement has expanded its opportunities for physical activity with yet another indoor venue. She expressed special thanks to the staff of the Kinizsi School, noting that without their active cooperation the necessary conditions could not have been ensured. The “Move, Debrecen!” movement now operates at 18 locations across the city, meaning that anyone wishing to exercise regularly can find a suitable venue in practically every district.

She added that the movement’s volunteers—working within a broad cooperative framework that includes the municipality, the primary care and health development institute, the sports center, the school district, and the vocational training center—are continuously seeking additional indoor spaces, as well as opportunities to expand outdoor locations from spring onward, for example in sports parks. The inclusion of the Kinizsi School as a new program site is the result of this effort, as the nearby Csapókert Community House can no longer accommodate additional participants during available time slots.

Deputy Mayor Széles also highlighted that, according to the instructors leading the classes, the fitness of regular participants has shown clearly noticeable improvement. This, she said, is precisely the essence of the free “Move, Debrecen!” movement and the reason it has become so successful for so many people. Since its launch in October 2021, a total of 280,000 people have taken part in its programs. Many have been attending regularly for a long time, giving the movement a stable and committed base. For these individuals, a sense of belonging—to both the community and the city—has become an important part of their lives.

She emphasized that the “Move, Debrecen!” movement, which is one of the city’s key care programs, also aims to ensure that regular, community-based physical activity, health preservation, and ultimately a happier life become identity-shaping values for the residents of Debrecen.

Csaba Papp, Head of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement, recalled an early moment in the initiative when there was already a clear demand for creating a physical activity venue in Csapókert. At the time, they were unsure whether such a program would succeed in a suburban environment, where many residents already have other opportunities for exercise. However, the sessions quickly became fully booked, and the Csapókert Community House soon proved to be a wonderful home for senior joy dance.

For this reason, expanding the number of venues became essential, and—as he noted—the Kinizsi School deserves great appreciation for offering its facilities and welcoming the “Move, Debrecen!” movement programs.

He also emphasized that all sessions are led by trained professionals who pay particular attention to ensuring that participants receive a level of physical activity that is both optimal and appropriate to their current fitness level.

Municipal councilor Edina Szilágyi highlighted that the Csapókert community had long been active and cohesive, and that after the forced break caused by the coronavirus pandemic, its energy and dynamism could be restored—something to which the programs of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement contributed significantly, achieving almost unexpectedly strong success. The Csapókert Community House now offers a wide range of programs from Monday to Saturday, including fully booked physical activity sessions, and has reached the limits of its capacity. This is why it is particularly important that the Kinizsi School also provides an additional indoor venue for exercise.

She added that in more favorable weather, from spring to autumn, Liget Square also welcomes residents wishing to be active—many of whom come with their families.

Zoltán Piros, principal of Debrecen Kinizsi Pál Primary School, said that both his colleagues and the parents of students had long been asking when a “Move, Debrecen!” movement location would finally be available at the school. Now that the time has come, it is a source of joy and pride for the institution, as it can provide a home for such an excellent community‑building and health‑promoting program.

The sessions are held between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., allowing both teachers and parents to participate—while also taking a little time for themselves—as the school provides childcare until 6:00 p.m.

He also noted that the “Move, Debrecen!” movement has two “offspring”: the “Move, Debrecen!” school program and the mental‑support initiative called The Power of Embrace. Students at Kinizsi greatly enjoy the competitions organized within the school program, which focuses on physical health and fostering a love of sports—such as the Knockout Championship, several editions of which they have already won.

The Power of Embrace program supports children’s mental well‑being in the challenges of the 21st century and aims to strengthen their inner balance—while also providing indirect benefits for parents and teachers.

Diána Széles emphasized that the Kinizsi School pays particular attention to the education and support of children with special educational needs. Within the programs of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement, the parents of these children are especially warmly welcomed to enjoy some refreshing physical activity while their children are cared for at the school until 6:00 p.m.

Following the press conference, a movement demonstration was held under the guidance of aerobics instructor Eszter Szabó.

In the sports hall of Debrecen Kinizsi Pál Primary School (32–34 Kuruc Street – entrance from Kinizsi Street), interested participants can join Zumba classes on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; spine‑strengthening exercise classes on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and body‑shaping aerobics classes on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., starting from January 12, 2026.

Detailed information about the health education and physical activity programs of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement is available on the website and social media.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu