Are you looking for something to do today? Well here’s what’s hot right now. Only the best things to see and do while in Debrecen over the next week and beyond, upcoming events that will stir your emotion, you will never want to leave after your Debrecen Experience.
The period after the fall of the Berlin Wall, between 1994-2010, this period was a time of neglect and under-investment in public spaces, but after there has been gradual improvements.
Our City
For Debrecen, until recently there was a stark contrast between the unattractive panel blocks, often referred to as commie blocks and the beautiful Art Deco buildings that still dominate the city center, – but things are changing.
The period after the fall of the Berlin Wall, between 1994-2010, this period was a time of neglect and under-investment in public spaces, but since then there has been gradual improvements.
This time Péter Miklósvölgyi, managing director of Debrecen Campus Nonprofit Public Benefit Ltd., answered our questions.
Interview
We are over a difficult year. Theaters and cinemas are closed, we cannot go to museums and restaurants, events are delayed or closed, and curfews make it difficult for us to move freely. We look forward to moving out of home again soon and traveling for a long weekends, domestically or for a small vacation abroad. Until then, all we have to do is tour at home and explore our own city, Debrecen, with a slightly different eye.
The very first recorded theatrical performance in Debrecen took place in 1798 in a “house of comedy” and it was the first of many in subsequent years, these were held at various locations by various groups, but there was no permanent venue fit for purpose.
History
The very first recorded theatrical performance in Debrecen took place in 1798 in a “house of comedy” and it was the first of many in subsequent years, these were held at various locations by various groups, but there was no permanent venue fit for purpose.
The first independent theatre from Debrecen was founded in 1810 by actors separated from the Transylvanian Hungarian Noble Theater Society, and then in 1814 the chief judge signed a ten-year contract with the Oradea theater company, according to which he played alternately in Debrecen and Oradea for 10 years.
Eventually the Csokonai Theatre was built after a period of literary revolution in 1865 but was only named later in 1916 after one of Debrecen’s literary greats of the age, the poet Csokonai Vitéz Mihály who Just like many famous poets and playwrights of the time, he only became famous after death.
Csokonai Theatre – As it was
The theatre’s opening performance was Katona’s 1819 play Báank bán, a play celebrating independence from Austrian rule.
The building began life in 1865, after fire destroyed previous temporary venues. It finally got the go ahead as a result of the theatrical success and transformation that occurred during the period between 1847 and 1857. Along with success came the political will and finance necessary to implement and build the theatre.
The theatre was designed by Antal Szkalnitzky in a romantic style with Moorish and Byzantine ornamentations. The interior is all that most would hope for from a Theatre of the period, with rich decoration and a three-tier gilt balconies, elaborate frescoes and chandeliers, the perfect setting for opera and musicals alike.
Today the theatre is a Hungarian language repertory theatre with departments for prose, dance and orchestra as well as opera since 1952. Currently (2020) the theatre is undergoing extensive repair to bring the building up to the standard expected of a ‘National theatre’ which the theatre was designated in 2012.
Csokonai Theatre before Renovation 2019
The renovation of the theatre is due to be completed by 2023, it includes improvements to the reception area, a new staircase leading to the auditorium and the removal of pillars/columns to increase viewing range and seating capacity.
Over the years many cities have been twinned with Debrecen. In some sense twinning implies that Debrecen has many things in common with these other cities, but there are also many differences, in the exchange of twinning both similarities and the differences are celebrated.
Travel
Over the years many cities have been twinned with Debrecen. In some sense twinning implies that Debrecen has many things in common with these other cities, but there are also many differences, in the exchange of twinning both similarities and the differences are celebrated.
There are still many things reminiscent of the glorious Anjou era and the emblematic figures of this era in Debrecen for its citizens. One such memento is the part of the city called Mesterfalva, which was the property of “Mester Dózsa”, from whom today’s Mester Street and Dósa Nádor Square are also often named.
History
There are still many things reminiscent of the glorious Anjou era and the emblematic figures of this era in Debrecen for its citizens. One such memento is the part of the city called Mesterfalva, which was the property of “Mester Dózsa”, from whom today’s Mester Street and Dósa Nádor Square are also often named.
On one hand, he was a soldier, an army private for seven years before being commissioned as a Hussar officer, and on the other hand he was someone who was disgusted by warfare and violence of any kind.
Historical Figures
Writer, Poet and soldier, Mihály Fazekas (1766-1828) was born in Debrecen on January 6th 1766 and died in Debrecen on February 23rd 1828. On one hand, he was a soldier, an army private for seven years before being commissioned as a Hussar officer, and on the other hand he was someone who was disgusted by warfare and violence of any kind.
On the surface it seems a huge contradiction of character, but to understand the man you need to understand his journey through life.
The Debrecen Házai (Houses of Debrecen) online website was launched in 2019 by architect Attila Harangi. The young architect, who is mapping the civic residential houses of Debrecen, started the site with 200 civic residential houses listed.
History
The Debrecen Házai (Houses of Debrecen) online website was launched in 2019 by architect Attila Harangi. The young architect, who is mapping the civic residential houses of Debrecen, started the site with 200 civic residential houses listed.
The Medgyessy promenade, located at the entrance of the Great Forest is by far the most appealing entrance to the Great Forest, especially now with the Autumn colours. This spot was frequented by talented poets, authors, and scientists. The forest the promenade leads to provided several research topics for scientists. István Hatvani, a famous professor
Autumn Walk
The Medgyessy promenade, located at the entrance of the Great Forest is by far the most appealing entrance to the Great Forest, especially now with the Autumn colours. This spot was frequented by talented poets, authors, and scientists. The forest the promenade leads to provided several research topics for scientists. István Hatvani, a famous professor of European significance often looked for plants with curative effects here.
Momentary fleeting happiness and situational resignation are the two pillars of Árpád Tóth’s poetic works, a reflection of his great suffering in life.
Historical Figures
Momentary fleeting happiness and situational resignation are the two pillars of Árpád Tóth’s poetic works, a reflection of his great suffering in life. Like so many during the age he was afflicted by tuberculosis and lived in poverty for the most part of it.
His works speak of stark reality, failed expectations in life and love, dashed hopes and dreams.
According to Anonymus, a notary and chronicler of a Hungarian king, the conquering Hungarians occupied the Debrecen area taking it from the Bulgarian prince Mén Maró. Thereafter it was inhabited by the Hungarians, and thus Debrecen is one of the oldest Hungarian cities. But where were its people from before and after?
Ancient History
According to Anonymus, a notary and chronicler of an un-named Hungarian king, the conquering Hungarians occupied the Debrecen area taking it from the Bulgarian prince Mén Maró. Thereafter it was inhabited by the Hungarians, and thus Debrecen is one of the oldest Hungarian cities. But where were its people from before and after?
The project “Streets of Debrecen” is about capturing the streets of the city in a unique way. It was inspired by the research done by biologist and founder of the project Viktor Löki.
Our Tip
The project “Streets of Debrecen” is about capturing the streets of the city in a unique way. It was inspired by the research done by biologist and founder of the project Viktor Löki.
Mihály Csokonai was an innovative Hungarian poet, born and raised in Debrecen. His talent was recognized early at high school by his teachers, József Háló Kováts who taught poetry and Fodor Gerzson who taught higher rhetorical and metaphysical classes.
Historical Figures
Mihály Csokonai was an innovative Hungarian poet, born and raised in Debrecen. His talent was recognized early at high school by his teachers, József Háló Kováts who taught poetry and Fodor Gerzson who taught higher rhetorical and metaphysical classes.
After graduating from Debrecen College in 1788, he went on to study applied geometry, natural sciences, and philosophy under József Milesz, theology under András Ormós as well as applied geometry. He was most influenced by Hungarian history, general world history along with ancient literature.
Weekly Interview – A Series asking the key players of the tourist industry in Debrecen what their favorite places in the city are…
Interview Series
It has been a hard year. Even now when theaters, cinemas, museums, and restaurants are closed, events are cancelled, and due to the curfew between 8 pm and 5 am we are even more restricted on what we can do. We hope that tourism will restart next year soon and that we will be able to go on short holidays once again.
Until then we have no other choice but to be a tourist in our own city and explore Debrecen from a fresh perspective.
The permanent exhibitions of the Déri Museum have been enriched with new numismatic pieces. Visitors can explore previously unseen pieces from the museum’s numismatic collection as they walk through the gallery.
Our Tip
The permanent exhibitions of the Déri Museum have been enriched with new numismatic pieces.
Visitors can explore previously unseen pieces from the museum’s numismatic collection as they walk through the gallery.
