Debrecen Flower Carnival starts next week!

One of the most famous festivals in Hungary is the Debrecen Flower Carnival. From August 12th for twelve days, more than 50 programs will entertain visitors.

Since 1966, the Debrecen Flower Carnival has been held on or about August 20th in honor of the founder of Hungary, Saint Stephen and the New Bread Festival. The internationally renowned event brings spectacular flower arrangements to the city, accompanied by Hungarian and foreign bands, majorette groups and brass bands.

In addition to the activities downtown, the Nagyerdő Stadium and the Open-Air Theater at Békás Lake are also the permanent venues for carnival programs. On August 20th at 7 pm at the Nagyerdő Stadium, the Carnival Night begins, which is the largest arena show in Hungary, where the arena literally blossoms and where more than 2,000 domestic and foreign dancers will entertain.

History

The history of the Flower Carnival dates back to the beginning of the last century: in September 1900 the Debreczen Civil Bicycle Association organised a bicycle competition on the association’s new field. The highlight of the competition – reported the newspaper of the age – was a large-scale flower corso.

The history of the Flower Carnival dates back to the beginning of the last century: in September 1900 the Debreczen Civil Bicycle Association organised a bicycle competition on the association’s new field. The highlight of the competition – reported the newspaper of the age – was a large-scale flower corso. This picture in which a young man with a moustache stands holding a bicycle decorated with flowers must have been taken then. Five years later in 1905 the Debrecen Ambulance Association organised an other flower corso in the town’s main street in order to collect money for an ambulance car since in the town that time when somebody had an accident, it took much time to find a doctor. Since 1966 apart from some breaks the Flower Carnival has been held every year in Debrecen on 20th August. In the beginning only Hungarian groups participated, after a few years foreign groups were also invited.

Now the carnival is a spectacular event with beautiful flower cars and dance groups coming from Debrecen, her sister cities and other countries as well. The carnival is increasingly popular and is the most visited event of the city. Carnival time the number of Debrecen’s population is doubled. In 2009 the Debrecen Flower Carnival celebrated its 40th anniversary. On this occasion recalling the beginnings a bicycle parade was held and a sun-dial made of 40 thousand flowers was set up in Baltazár Dezső Square.

As we wrote before, the American broadcasting company CNN praises Debrecen, second largest city of Hungary.

Photos: Debrecen Flower Carnival

Source: Debrecen Flower Carnival