In Debrecen, Hungary, the original Nagyerdei Open Air Theatre was built among huge pinewoods and oaktrees in Debrecen's most beautiful 'Nagyerdő' (Great Forest) area back in 1950. At its opening ceremony on 10 June 1950, world-renowned Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály's popular 1932 singspiel called Székelyfonó (The Spinning Room) was presented in a monumental performance directed by Imre Csenki and featuring a set design by famous Hungarian painter József Menyhárt that also included the iconic Szekler gate. Mr. Zoltán Kodály himself also honoured the city of Debrecen by attending this legendary performance.Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, the Nagyerdei Open Air Theatre became an elemental force within Debrecen's cultural life, entertaining many generations all the way till the new millenium.
