Debrecen4U
December 5, 2025
Várhalmi Ilona Award to Be Presented Again
This school year, recognition will once again be given to educators whose work not only imparts knowledge but also inspires and strengthens community.
Ilona Várhalmi—affectionately known as Aunt Cila—the legendary artistic director of Ady Grammar School, passed away last February. In her memory, five cultural institutions—the Csokonai National Theatre, the University of Debrecen’s Art Centre, the Déri Museum, MODEM, and the Vojtina Puppet Theatre—jointly established the Várhalmi Ilona Award.
The award, announced again this year, honors teachers who achieve excellence in arts education. Its mission is to elevate the professional and social esteem of the teaching vocation while fostering deeper cooperation between cultural institutions and educators.
True to its spirit, the award continues to celebrate those who not only teach but also inspire and nurture community. The Várhalmi Ilona Award ceremony will take place at the end of January 2026, in conjunction with the Day of Hungarian Culture.
The following educators have been selected for the 2026 shortlist:
- Bernadett Polonkai – Alsójózsai Kerekerdő Kindergarten, Debrecen
- Gáborné Bodnár – Debrecen Kinizsi Pál Primary School, Debrecen
- Gábor Kustár – Debrecen Reformed College Primary School, Debrecen
- Csilla Kiss Papp—Former deputy director of Medgyessy Ferenc Grammar School, Artistic Grammar School, and Technical School, currently head of the Education Department of the Igazgyöngy Foundation, school principal at AMI, Debrecen–Berettyóújfalu
- Márta Vajda – DSZC Construction Technology and Technical Vocational School, Debrecen
- Ildikó Molnárné Gál – Hajdúböszörmény Bocskai István Grammar School, Hajdúböszörmény
IIlona Várhalmi served as deputy head and artistic director of Ady Endre Grammar School in Debrecen. A graduate of Tóth Árpád Grammar School, she later returned to work there. She earned teaching degrees in Hungarian and German, obtained a physical education teaching certificate, and went on to complete a doctoral program in theatre theory at the University of Theatre and Film Arts.
At the city’s request in 2013, she directed the musical Légy jó mindhalálig, which quickly became a widely acclaimed production. She was the first recipient of the Ady Ring, an award established in 2003 by the teaching staff to honor the school’s teacher of the year. Her influence was so profound that virtually every theatre in Hungary counts one of her former students among its performers. By teaching across multiple subjects, she was able to connect with students from many perspectives, forming especially close bonds with them.
Her dedication was most evident in the drama program, where she was available to students at all hours—even on weekends. At the founding of Ady Grammar School, she was entrusted with establishing the drama department, which has since produced numerous nationally recognized actors. In recognition of her lifelong contribution to education and culture, she was awarded Debrecen’s Pro Urbe Prize in 2021.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
