On 22 January we celebrate the Day of Hungarian Culture, in memory of the fact that, according to the manuscript, Ferenc Kölcsey wrote the final text of the Hymn on 22 January 1823. On this occasion, Debrecen commemorates the rich heritage, traditions, material and spiritual values of Hungarian culture with a series of festive events.
This year, the celebrations will take place in Debrecen for more than a week, with wreath-laying ceremonies, exhibitions, exciting performances, book presentations, festive dance performances and craft activities.
The series of events to celebrate the Day of Hungarian Culture will run until next Friday.
16 JANUARY (THURSDAY)
4.00 p.m.: Literary illustrations for Magda Szabó’s novel Abigél – Opening of the exhibition by Alexandra Grela, illustrator-artist and Ábel Kónya, visual artist
New Town Hall (Debrecen, 11 Kálvin Square)
19 JANUARY (SUNDAY)
4.00 p.m.: Alföld Feast – Heit Lóri and Orchestra
DEMKI Csapókerti Community House (3 Süveg Street)
In 2024, the Hungarian tradition of grooming has been nominated for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the National Inventory. In 2024, Lóri Heit and her Orchestra presented a concert entitled “The Living Traditions of the Alföld Wedding” in numerous villages, which was created to commemorate the singing and instrumental traditions of Hungarian weddings, with a special emphasis on the unique and original character of the Hungarian best man. The concert will feature episodes from this performance, performed by the Fidula Banda and the Debrecen Folk Ensemble.
7.00 p.m.: Glorious Hours – Concert by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kodály Choir
Kölcsey Centre, Great Hall (1-3 Hunyadi Street)
Program:
Puccini: Messa di Gloria
Rutter: Gloria
Featuring: János Szerekován, Bence Pataki – vocals / Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra / Kodály Choir
Conductor: Zoltán Kocsis-Holper
20 JANUARY (MONDAY)
4.30 p.m.: “Walking in the Forest, Green Fields” – Book launch and photo exhibition
With the participation of the Debrecen Nature and Cultural Association for the Great Forest of Debrecen
DEMKI – Youth House (21 Simonffy Street)
21 JANUARY (TUESDAY)
10.00 a.m.: “With a pure heart” – musical literary morning in the spirit of Attila József
DEMKI Borsos-villa (17 Jerikó Street)
22 JANUARY (WEDNESDAY)
8.00 a.m.: New street exhibition of Természettár – Nature poetry by 7 Hungarian poets
10.00 a.m.: Wreath-laying ceremony of the relief of Ferenc Kölcsey at the Reformed University of Debrecen
Debrecen Reformed College (16 Kálvin Square)
Greeting speeches will be given by Dr. Béla Levente Baráth, Rector of the Reformed Theological University of Debrecen and Dr. Ferenc Vitéz, Deputy Vice-Rector for Education of the Reformed Theological University of Debrecen, with the participation of Enikő Lember-Major, lecturer at the Department of Native Languages of the Reformed Theological University of Debrecen.
10.40 a.m.: Wreath-laying ceremony of the statue of Ferenc Kölcsey
Péterfia Street
10.00 a.m.: “Make up a poem for yourself – Let’s soar with the birds” – thematic activity for kindergarten and school groups on the occasion of the Day of Hungarian Culture (by appointment)
Zoo Debrecen (1 Ady Endre Road)
1.00 p.m.: Day of Hungarian Culture language quiz
DEMKI Homokkert Community House ( 78 Szabó Kálmán Street)
2.00 p.m., 14.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m.: Debrecen 175 Drama Competition – Reading theatre of the winning plays
Csokonai Forum/Simor Ottó Orfeum (30 Csapó Street)
3.00 p.m.: Talk about Géza Gárdonyi with his great-grandson Péter Keller and Cs. István Varga, literary historian
Déri Museum (1 Déri Square)
5.30 p.m.: Wreath-laying ceremony of the statue of Ferenc Kölcsey at the Kölcsey Centre with the Kölcsey Ferenc Reformed Primary School’s Little Children’s Choir
Kölcsey Centre (1-3 Hunyadi Street)
6.00 p.m.: “About compulsory reading in short?” – Informal discussion about compulsory readings with Ágnes Szabados, Csilla Papp and Máté Kiss Gergely
Kölcsey Centre, Kölcsey Art Café (1-3 Hunyadi Street)
8.00 p.m.: Special gala performance of the Debrecen Folk Ensemble, “Tales of our Masters”, at the Csokonai Theatre
The Tales of our Masters – the founder of the Debrecen Folk Ensemble – was created for the 90th anniversary of the birth and 25th anniversary of the death of Dr. András Béres. In the performance, the audience can experience the dances of the landscapes closely connected to the life of the ensemble’s idol (Hajdúság, Hortobágy, Szatmár, Bihar, Rétköz, Carpathian), the moods and stories that are in keeping with these, combined with the dances that are closest to the teachers who taught in the ensemble.
23 JANUARY (THURSDAY)
6.00 p.m.: “The Face of Debrecen” – Screening and discussion with the authors of the forthcoming book “In Search of the Civic Houses and Their Inhabitants in Debrecen II”
Moderator: Lajos Lakner
Déri Museum (1 Déri Square)
24 JANUARY (FRIDAY)
4.00 p.m.: “My soul, my feelings have received a heritage” – Musical and poetic program with the artists of the Csokonai National Theatre
DEMKI Homokkert Community House ( 68 Szabó Kálmán Street)
25 JANUARY (SATURDAY)
1.00 p.m.: Carnival of Crafts
DEMKI-Tanner’s House – Folk Crafts House (6 Nagy Gál István Street)
Participants of the event will have the opportunity to meet several folk crafts, see the process of creation live and learn about the valuable activities of the Nádudvar Folk Crafts Vocational School. The exhibition and demonstrations will be accompanied by folk gastronomy, music and dance.
