Local services
For the first time in Debrecen, a 24-hour competition titled “Debrecen24—Sleep Another Time!” for secondary school-aged youth was organised in 2022. The 12-team final of the new competition will take place on City’s Day, April 11, 2025.
The press conference announcing the finals and the team preparation took place on the 28th of March, 2025. Deputy Mayor Diána Széles said at the event that there were no city competitions of this kind when she was in secondary school. That is why she feels it is her mission to have such events today. She encouraged the young people present to promote and implement events for the benefit of the next generation, which they may be missing from their lives now. Of course, it should also be considered that each generation has different experience needs. In the case of the “Sleep Another Time!” competition, a soul-warming community is vital for standing together for the class and the community, cooperation, and working together for a common goal. This competition is a lifelong, joyful community experience that young people get from Debrecen.
According to the Managing Director of DEMKI Nonprofit Ltd., János D. Halász, “Sleep Another Time!” has become a tradition in Debrecen. It was made a tradition by the young people and their “24-hour working” teachers who have participated in it so far and have filled it with content. In addition to being a good, community-building “party”, it is also a huge test of strength and a resource. After all, we, as humans, can only truly solve problems if we test ourselves and our abilities. The “Debrecen24 – Sleep Another Time!” competition is also excellent for this, the director stressed.
The representatives of the teams present were informed about the finals by the Managing Director of event organiser Diadém Rendezvényszervező Kft. Gábor Fehér said, among other things, that this game, the idea he developed with a friend, has been around for 25 years and that Szolnok was its birthplace. At that time, they received help from the city administration to implement the game, and today, in many settlements of the country, including Debrecen, it is known to young people now and to those who were young before. The game develops every year, which is also happening in Debrecen, as it will take place at increasingly significant locations, now in the Oláh Gábor Street sports hall. This also gives the participating teams, each with 30 people, the opportunity to invite pre-registered fans and helpers. In favourable weather conditions, the spectacular gathering of the “Debrecen24 – Sleep Another Time!” Competition participants in front of the Reformed Great Church can also be seen by the city’s residents on the 11th of April 2025, from 8:30 a.m., followed by a short parade at 9:00 a.m.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
