Best of Budapest & Hungary

Twelve flower floats, 37 performing groups and more than 1,500 dancers will march in this year's Flower Carnival procession on August 20 in Debrecen.

    In recent years, there have been a few electric flower floats this year, as many as half of the floats will be electric. Organizers would like to convert all flower carts to electric operation in the coming years.

    Among the flower floats parading in Debrecen will be the usual float depicting the Hungarian Holy Crown, but there will also be a vehicle dedicated to the twin city ties between Debrecen and Nagyvárad (Oradea, Romania), and a number of new carriages.

    Teva Pharmaceuticals is preparing a scented float, BMW's flower float will have 1,000 hortensia bushes, which will be given to educational institutions after the carnival, and there will also be flower floats that visitors can get on.

    The Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra Debrecen, which is 100 years old this year, will be among the institutions that will set up a float. They are preparing for the carnival a flower float depicting a conductor.

    The carriage of the Hortobágy National Park, which is 50 years old this year, will also be part of the procession, accompanied by colt riders and folk dancers from the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, which is 70 years old this year.

    This year, eight grandstands will be placed along the route of the parade, one of which will be free of charge thanks to the Debrecen Charity Board, from where families in difficult conditions can watch the procession.