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The tourist information point in Debrecen will soon move to a new location.

The VisitDebrecen info point, which currently operates in the Karakter 1517 café and then in the pop-up container in the main square, will soon open its doors in a new location, in the Old Town Hall building, on the corner of Piac and Kossuth streets. The new office space will offer a renewed environment, Tourinform services and Debrecen City Card customer service .

This year has been difficult year with all the pandemic restrictions, and now in winter, the cold weather makes the outdoors less inviting. The theaters, cinemas, museums and restaurants are closed, and events are cancelled or postponed and curfews are making it difficult for us to move freely. 

There are several important developments, recently announced, currently underway or scheduled to begin in 2021 which will effect the economy, tourism and culture.

Debrecen’s new Aquaticum Strand Water Park has been featured on the cover of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the UK’s largest architectural magazine by circulation. In the article, which is available in both print and online, the author, Isabelle Priest referred to the water park as a ‘mega fun’ place, – a place full of wild experiences.

The big well known events cancelled in 2020 such as the Campus Festival and Debrecen Drive are already being organized for 2021. While the dates for both events have recently been announced, the details remain unannounced. Debrecen Campus Nonprofit Public Benefit Ltd is responsible for both events.

Before World War II, Petőfi Square was one of the most impressive parts of Debrecen. The emblematic building of the courthouse, the district court, the Deák Ferenc Street Synagogue and the Royal Hotel were all located here. However most of these were lost during a series of bombings during the war.

Located in the heart of the Great Forest, the playground is a spot loved by kids of all ages and parents alike. While the children play, parents can relax and enjoy the surroundings while listening to their children’s laughter and the inescapable sound of water from the nearby Lake Békás fountains.

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.

The graphic artist Nora L. Rito and her pupils exhibition ideally would have been held at the Kölcsey Center Bényi Arpad restaurant, but the disease situation and safety considerations led to alternatives, the display can been seen online on the Kölcsey Center’s Facebook page and then between the 8th January and 7 February 2021 at the Kölcsey Center, – Illuminated along the entire glass wall of Hunyadi Street.

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.

Mihály Fazekas, the famous native of Debrecen, was born  255 years ago, on January 6, 1766. In Debrecen we can monuments to his legacy in several places all over the city including a school and a street which bears his name, in addition many statues and reliefs commemorate his life.

The Reformed Small Church is the oldest surviving church building in Debrecen. It is modestly nestled between the colorful buildings that were once the trading houses and imposing palaces of Piac Street. Here are 10 points of interest about the Reformed Small Church, referred to locally, as the “Truncated Church”.