An enthusiastic and expectant crowd welcomed the leaders of the University of Debrecen at Nagyerdei Stadium, after the welcome show that followed the opening of the gates, where the audience tuned in with ABBA hits, the song Introverted, Don't stop me now and Run to you, among others.
Rector Zoltán Szilvássy addressed the tens of thousands of people, quoting the lyrics of Halott Pénz.
- "Something is in the air, something that will put me together at night" and tomorrow and the day after. This is the university, where you can study, but tonight is about having fun," said Zoltán Szilvássy in his welcome speech.
György Kossa, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Count István Tisza Foundation for the University of Debrecen, thanked the university's faculty and students for their work in the flood protection. As he said, this also shows that the University of Debrecen is a cohesive community.
- "On this day, let us all open our hearts and show that we belong together. We are one, one big family, all of us, lecturers, students, staff and citizens of the city of Debrecen," said György Kossa.
Around 600 performers and almost a thousand people in the background, including students, took part in the organisation and programme of this year's yoUDay. They were addressed by the President of the Student Council.
- Thanks to the thousands of you who came and played your part in ensuring that this year's academic year was celebrated and opened in a worthy manner," added István Csont.
Zoltán Bács, Chancellor of the University of Budapest, closed the series of stage greetings, recalling the year 2016, when the idea of university education in light music was first outlined.
- In the band Impact, which is now performing, three of us, the rector, who is now behind the drums, József Tőzsér, the vice-rector behind the keyboards, and myself, thought about it, and to our great joy it has since become a reality. Anyone who wants t, please join us on this journey," said Zoltán Bács, addressing the packed auditorium and the guests in the sectors.
Impact kicked off the main show with a song by Gábor Presser and Anna Adamis, "Somebody tell me", and then the lights went out, before the stage was bursting with the spectacle of more than a hundred marching flags of the international student community.
The University of Debrecen's diversity was also on display at yoUDay, which was held for the eighth time, with performances by the DEAC's mazorettas and cheerleaders with Jennifer Szirota, the university wind orchestra, the musicians of the Institute of Light Music and a group of the oDEon Theatre, and the presenters were Betti Gábor and Árpi Burai from FM90 Campus Radio. As in previous years, the show also featured students from the Debrecen Feeling Dance Studio, the R&B Dance Dance School, Valcer Dance Studio and the Piruett Dance Studio, and was joined for the first time this year by the Dance Universe Dance School and the Debrecen Mazsorett Ensemble.
In the sumptuous show, directed by Veronika Végh, the stars of the Hungarian popular music scene followed one another: Abrakazabra, who set the fantastic tone every year, and this year's star parade: the LGT Music Train formation, the King Brothers, Manuel and Halott Pénz.
Manuel's songs were sung as one by the sold-out crowd, as were the hits of Halott Pénz, with 20,000 people singing along with Dávid Marsalkó and Márk Járai to Erre még meghívlak, Hol van az a lány, Valami van a levegőben, Darabokra törted a szívem and Amikor feladnád.
The academic year opening stadium show also included secret surprises and touching moments. As part of the show, one of the university's students proposed to his girlfriend in front of cameras and 20,000 guests, with Linda Király and Viktor Király providing the musical accompaniment.
The event, which was also full of special spectacular elements, was closed by the traditional laser show in the stadium, this time with special guest, German star DJ and music producer Topic, who spiced up the end show in the middle of the sold-out arena until almost midnight, and then the students could continue the after party in the Hall and the Water Tower until dawn.
Press Centre - ÉE
