The Flower Carnival is a one week long fiesta in Debrecen: the programmes start on 15th August and last until the 21st, meanwhile the flower cars are exhibited not only in Debrecen but on other locations as well. Last year we got to know the cabala figure of the carnival, a nice and sweet little flower, who is going to take part in this year’s carnival as well.

The carnival starts at 8 a.m. in Petőfi Square and goes through the city on a 5 km long route up until the Nagyerdei Stadium. Between the spectacular flower cars the invited dance groups and bands entertain the public. The parade arrives at the stadium at around 10 a.m. where the cars and the performers go around showing their best to the audience and the jury who awards the most beautiful cars and the best groups later the day.

After the parade in the afternoon visitors can take a closer look at the flower cars and watch the performance of the groups in the stadium. The flower cars and the performers march through the city again in evening but this time on a shorter route. Fireworks and a street party close the carnival at night. During the day on 20th August other colourful carnival programmes are held on several locations of the city.

The parade is for free standing by the streets. Tickets are available for street grandstands (Piac Street, Hunyadi Street, Egyetem Avenue) and in the Nagyerdei Stadium.

The route of the parade

Petőfi Square – Piac Street – Hunyadi Street – Bethlen Street – Egyetem Avenue – Egyetem Square – Nagyerdei Boulevard – Pallagi Nagyerdei Stadium

Programmes of the Carnival Week:

16 August

’The ancient town takes a step forward’ (world premiere)
Performance of the Debrecen Folk Dance Group and the Hajdú Folk Dance Group about the history of Debrecen.

Venue: Kossuth Square

17 August

Music journey from the reform era until today

Gala evening with the Csokonai Theatre and the Debrecen Philharmonic Orchestra

Venue: Kossuth Square

18 August

R-GO concert
R-Go was one of the most popular Hungarian pop bands of the’80s.

Venue: Kossuth Square

19 August

Ali Campbell (UB40) concert
Ali Campbell was the front man of the ’80s’ band UB40 who started a solo career after singing in the band for 30 years and becoming famous with such famous hits as ’Red Wine’, ’I Got You Babe’ or ’Can’t Help Falling in Love’.

Venue: Kossuth Square

20 August

41st Debrecen Flower Carnival

21 August, 7 p.m.

Bobby McFerrin concert
The performer who has won 10 Grammies so far has given a concert in Hungary several times before. He has sold 20 million records and his song ’Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ from 1988 has become one of the most popular hits of the 20th century being the first a cappella song to lead the Billboard chart. He has worked together with Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonics, Herbie Hancock, and has written an a cappella opera entitled ’Bobble’. After a break of 8 years he has released a record in 2010. On his concert in Debrecen he will perform the songs from his new album VOCAbuLarieS.

Venue: Kölcsey Centre
Tickets: 6900 and 7900 HUF
Sales points: Kölcsey Centre, Tourinform office, InterTicket offices

The events of the Flower Carnival will take place on several locations in the city.

In the inner yard of the Old Town Hall a peculiar Fairy Garden will await the visitors with elves, goblins, fairies and lots of surprises between 16th and 21st August.

The Great Forest Culture Park joins the carnival events this year. Between 16th and 22nd August the park will open its gates with a program called ’Twilight Great Forest’. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Smell Garden and watch the animals of the Zoo getting prepared for their night siesta. Besides the well-known locations of the Carnival – Kossuth Square, Piac Street and Nagyerdei Stadium – programmes will be held in the Old Town Hall, the pedestrian zone of Csapó Street, Baltazár Dezső Square, the Oláh Gábor Sports Centre and the Kölcsey Centre as well."

Source: iranydebrecen.hu