Culture

Debrecen is the town of culture. Besides its numerous museums, contemporary art is on exhibition in the MODEM Centre. The second biggest library of the country, the Debrecen University Library which has a considerable collection in foreign languages is housed in this town. Theatre fans can enjoy various performances in several professional, amateur and alternative theatres. The town is also a host to two modern dance studios. Debrecen is the town of festivals. Whichever part of the year, you can always find an event that best suits your taste, from classical music festivals through the Flower Carnival to jazz festivals.

Museums, theatres
Déri Museum which exhibits rich selections in archaeology, fine arts, culture and ethnography as well as historical relics adjacent to one another is located in the centre of the town. Hungary’s second biggest contemporary gallery and currently the most modern art gallery in Central Europe, MODEM (Centre for Contemporary and Modern Art) is sited in Debrecen. In addition to Csokonai Theatre and Vojtina Puppet Theatre several amateur and alternative theatres likewise contribute to a variety in the theatrical life of the town.

Music, dance
Debrecen possesses determinative musical traditions. A rich selection of concerts is offered in the town day after day. Debrecen has also been the site of several long-existing festivals, such as the Béla Bartók International Choir Festival, the Debrecen Jazz Festival and the Military Band Festival. The town also hosts several international standard dance theatres.

Festivals, events
Debrecen hosts several regular events.

Debrecen Spring Festival
Primarily well-known foreign artists and art groups give performances in this several weeks-long art festival. Classical, jazz and popular concerts, as well as exhibitions in fine arts, films and theatre performances or even dance shows are all available to the public.

Béla Bartók International Choir Competition and Folklore Festival
The bi-annual choir competition is a forum for composing and presenting contemporary choir music. The event is accompanied by high standard musical programs that can also entertain the large public (premiere, concerts in churches, serenade eve).

Debrecen Wine Carnival
A permanent event in the first weekend of August, which popularizes civilized wine drinking in its accompanying musical programs. In addition to the invited wine companies and a taste from the producers’ wines, high quality musical programs entertain the visitors.

Debrecen Flower Carnival and Carnival Week
Spectacular flower compositions are paraded and accompanied by Hungarian and foreign art ensembles, majorette groups, flag jugglers and brass bands along an approx. 5 km section of the town in the rightly internationally famed Flower Carnival. In the frame of the Carnival Week various folklore programs, street theatrical performances, musical programs, photo exhibitions and flower arranging shows can be seen for a week in the middle of August. In the evenings diverse performances are given on the big stage in Kossuth tér.

Debrecen Jazz Days
Apart from the series of high quality concerts given by foreign stars, well-known Hungarian musicians and singers also perform at one of the biggest jazz festivals in Central-Eastern Europe.

Autumn Festival
Illustrious artists and art groups give performances to the public of Debrecen at this art festival in October. The genres are especially wide-ranging and the audience can visit classical, jazz and popular concerts just as exhibitions in fine arts, films, theatre performances or dance shows.