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The “Create Freely!” children’s drawing competition exhibition was inaugurated on May 15, 2025, at the New City Hall Gallery in Debrecen (Kálvin Square 11) as the opening program of the II. Debrecen Art Week fine arts festival.
The ARTmosphere competition was first announced in the spring of 2022 by the project’s creators, and it was titled “Create Freely!” to encourage young people to create and express themselves creatively. The competition has enjoyed great popularity since its inception, with thousands of talented young participants submitting their works each year in three age groups, between 8 and 20 years old.
Every year, the organisers introduce a new theme, which participants explore using various artistic techniques. Thanks to past successes, this year’s competition is co-occurring in five countries across three continents—the USA, Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Hungary. The main theme of this year is “Paint Your Favourite Toy in a Picture!”, complemented by a special sub-theme related to the Holy Year: “What Does Hope Mean to You?”. Young people from Debrecen have also joined this year’s competition.
István Puskás, Deputy Mayor responsible for cultural affairs, opened the exhibition in Debrecen. He explained that a few years ago, this mini gallery was established in the New City Hall public space to create a direct meeting point between Debrecen’s citizens and culture, as hundreds of people visit the hall daily for administrative matters.
The gallery organisers believed that encountering various aspects of the city’s culture—traditions, stories, and artistic moments—could be an interesting experience during everyday errands. So far, more than two dozen exhibitions have covered themes such as folk art, architecture, literature, theatre, cinema, and Debrecen’s scientific life.
Debrecen Art Week is also joining this exhibition space. The festival’s mission is to foster collaboration among active figures in Debrecen’s fine arts community, providing a dedicated occasion for members of the city’s contemporary artistic scene to introduce themselves to each other and the interested public.
Within the framework of the II. Debrecen Art Week, new exhibitions are opening throughout the downtown area, including at the Kölcsey Centre and the B24 Gallery. István Puskás emphasised that the Art Week will not only feature professional artists but also young creators from Debrecen’s two art high schools—the Medgyessy High School and the Kós Károly Vocational High School—who are preparing exciting programs for the upcoming weekend, primarily in public spaces. At the Apolló Cinema, animated films will be screened. As the deputy mayor noted, it is incredible how many talented young animation filmmakers and cartoon directors live and work in the city.
István Puskás greeted the young artist candidates whose drawings are featured in the “Create Freely!” exhibition at the New City Hall Gallery. He remarked that the competition serves as a talent search to discover young artistic talents. For example, he mentioned Júlia Fant was “discovered” through this competition while attending Medgyessy High School.
He encouraged the current contestants and prize winners to continue their beautiful work, the first fruits of which are visible in this exhibition. He also expressed his gratitude to the children’s parents and teachers for providing the support that enables these creations to come to life.
The prize winners of the “Create Freely!” children’s drawing competition in Debrecen are:
Ages 8-11 – 1st place: Sára Gombkötő, 2nd place: Emese Fülöp, 3rd place: Bársony Liliom Földi. Special award: Zita Hegedűs.
Ages 12-15: 1st place: Boglárka Radványi. Ages 16-20: 1st place: Éva Bornemissza.
The winners received some gifts offered by various sponsors, tickets to cultural programs, and opportunities to participate in excursions.
The exhibition opening was accompanied by a performance from the Duae Pre Una guitar duo—Csenge Bajkán and Vivien Sigér, students of the Kodály Zoltán Music High School and Music School.
The exhibition will be open on weekdays during New City Hall’s opening hours until May 25, 2025.
More details about the II. Debrecen Art Week programs can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1025798665723263/
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
