Hot Now

Debrecen Zoo has announced yet more endangered animals, a North Chinese leopard, and the birth of a reticulated giraffe, the rarest of giraffe species.

The charismatic male Chinese Leopard arrived on June 24, originating from Ree Park Safari, Denmark, and has been settling in since, and is a result of Debrecen Zoo’s participation in the European Endangered Species Program (EAZA EEP). 

Born in autumn 2018, the mighty big cat named Coolio has been gradually getting familiar with his new environment at Debrecen Zoo, and now you can check him out in his enclosure during regular opening hours or during Evening Walks with the Zoo Keepers on Friday nights.

This year, the Beach Night will be held on July 25, which has been joined by several spas nationwide. Of course, this year’s program should not miss the Aquaticum Debrecen Strand which awaits those interested with extended opening hours and colorful programs.

“The Debrecen Photo Workshop was founded at the beginning of 1998 from the former members of the Debrecen Photo Club. Since then, the Workshops membership has grown steadily. They are organizationally independent, rather a group of friends, and do not charge a membership fee.

With the name choice “Photo Workshop”, they wanted to emphasize that they expect some activity from their members, because what kind of workshop is it where people just sit and do no work? It was for this reason that they decided not to use the word “club” because it is more associated with appearances, attending gatherings, listening to speakers, and providing programs to the leader, rather than doing something creative. 

An international traveling exhibition arrived in Debrecen, the exhibition reflects back on the repression of the communist period. The exhibition was organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the change of regime, entitled “30 Years Free” and was first shown in Brussels last November.

The exhibition presents in chronological order the events that led to the change of regime in Hungary, from oppression of the communist dictatorship to freedom. The 13-panel exhibition also brings to life the 1989-90 turn with photographs and quotes.

The Debrecen Cultural Center building on the corner of Piac and Kossuth Street once housed the city’s oldest financial institution, the First Savings Bank of Debrecen. 

The financial institution started its operation in a small shop leased in the town hall in 1846 and later acquired the properties of the neighbouring buildings on the corner of Piac and Kossuth Street in 1868. The acquisition included the two-story “Táncos Kovács” House, the Auer House, and the Radl house.

The bank outgrew its two-story “Táncos Kovács” headquarters shortly thereafter and designed an impressive three-story palace to replace it. 

The Hungarian artist, who has lived in Paris for more than 70 years, is a pioneer of computer art. By developing the principle of Machine Imaginaire, the ever-experimenting, tireless Vera Molnar laid the foundations for an algorithmic work of art based on aesthetics: she defined a machine that works according to a program according to certain rules and generates works of art. However, the decision here, as in any creative process, belongs to the artist, so it is as much a part of the work as the construction of the algorithm.

If you enjoy ballet and dance in general then there are two dates to bookmark in the coming months. The performances are to be held on the Nagyerdei Open-Air Stage thus minimizing Covid-19 risk.

Firstly, in August there is an adaptation of Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina by the Ballet Company of Győr, and in September an adaptation of Wass Albert’s “The Witch of Funtinel” by the Debrecen Folk Ensemble.

The Zsuzsi railway came to be because “the city of Debrecen wanted to cultivate its 37.4 km2 forest, which is located 24-38 km from the city near Gúth.” A Railway was needed to transport the harvested wood. Therefore the city announced a tender for the construction, operation, and supply of the harvested timberline.

The tender was won by Kopf-Steinberger contractors and the first section of the railway was opened on July 16th, 1882. This was the 21.5 km section between Debrecen-Fatelep and Nyírmártonfalva. The railway was built in a way unique to the country, with a track gauge of 950 mm.

In 2019, the Nagyerdei Outdoor Games delighted the audience with the excellent theatrical productions in collaboration with the most sought-after star actors and musicians, as well as showcasing cult films of the world.

This summer the Great Forest Open Air Theatre celebrates its 70th birthday. It opened its doors with Zoltán Kodály’s song Székelyfonó in June 1950 and was the first and only permanent,.outdoor stage in Debrecen. It also showcased the County Prima Prize-winning Debrecen Folk Ensemble (Debreceni Népi Együttes) introducing them to citizens. 

During the Flower Carnival week, 15th-22nd August, the organizers will be waiting for gastronomic lovers in the Great Forest, with a real picnic atmosphere.

Following the example of the highly successful Debrecziner Gourmet Festival, the Debrecen Piknik is organized with the support of the Stylish Rural Restaurant (Stílusos Vidéki Éttermiség; SVÉT). Those visiting the event can meet the following rural and local restaurants:

The Debrecen Jazz Days has been held every year, without interruption since 1972.  This year will be no exception, It will be organized from 15th to 22nd August for the 49th time. The event will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. 

Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days is a social event with wines and music taking place in the Great Forest. The event contributes to the improvement of the quality of life for citizens by strengthening the good practice of cultured wine and listening to great music.

The Flower Carnival week, taking place between 15th-23rd of August, provides a color extravaganza with both traditional and new programs.

Participation in the Decoration of the Flower Floats

In the early days of the carnival, the residents of Debrecen came together to decorate the first flower floats. This year this community experience will come back to life so that those interested can also take part in the decoration of the floats.