The 16th Ars Sacra Festival begins on September 17th, with some 400 programs, including music, literature, and visual arts events, in 80 towns and villages across the country over nine days. One hundred thirty-two churches are expected to open their doors for the event.
The aim of the festival is to bring to the surface through the arts the sacredness that lies deep within culture, she added, noting that European culture is built on faith.
The opening ceremony will take place on 16th September at the Hungarian National Museum, with performances by János Lackfi and the Jazzation Acapella Ensemble. The festival will be opened by Cardinal Péter Erdő, Primate and Archbishop of Esztergom and Budapest.
Ildikó Kolek, a member of the Ars Sacra Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said three Transylvanian cities – Cluj-Napoca, Târgu Mures, and Oradea – had joined the program. While most of the rural programs will be held in Győr, Pécs, Székesfehérvár, and Vác, for years, the churches of Debrecen have also opened their doors as part of the Ars Sacra Festival.
Sacred spaces to visit during the Debrecen City walk:
- Oratory of the Reformed College
- Kossuth Utca Church
- Greek Catholic Church
- St. Anne’s Cathedral
- Lutheran Church
- Reformed Lesser Church
- Pásti Street Synagogue
- Great Church (with organ concert)
Pasti Street Synagogue 
Lutheran Church 
Greek Orthodox Catholic Church 
St Anna 
Reformed Lesser Church
At the sites, you can learn about the history of the churches and get an insight into the congregation’s spirituality. There is a free guided tour and a walk with music. The leaders of the communities will briefly discuss the history of the congregations and the buildings.
Meeting in the Oratory of the Reformed College of Debrecen, departure at 6:00 p.m. Participation is subject to registration. To register in advance, call +36 (52) 614-370 or send an e-mail to tkovacs@silver.drk.hu.
The night program will end with an organ concert in the Great Church. The program is expected to close at 10:30 p.m.
Detailed programs are available on the festival website www.ars-sacra.hu.
