Revolutionale 2026 · Leipzig · October 8–10
We promote civic engagement in support of democracy, human rights, and social change—in Leipzig and around the world.
Democratic Memories. Democratic Futures
One Idea – Three Formats
Our Profile
"Die Revolutionale" is a project of the Peaceful Revolution Foundation and brings together three initiatives focused on democratic participation, human rights, and civic engagement.
IRT
International Roundtable
A multi-day conference featuring activists, scholars, and cultural professionals from over 20 countries. A dialogue among equals on peace work, human rights, and democratic participation.
FfV
Festival for Change
A week of exhibitions, readings, panel discussions, performances, and film screenings. Social change comes to life through art—free of charge and open to everyone.
FM
Featured Months
This series of events, held throughout the year, addresses current key topics and brings them to the streets of Leipzig through cultural and discussion events.
— Program Overview
Our Events
Discourse, Art, and Encounter—our events bring together people who are committed to democracy and social change.
Before the Sun Rises – Eyewitness Accounts of the War from Queer People
The artist Stasya Samar from Odesa has created portraits of queer people from southern Ukraine. They speak of their fears and hopes—and of their identity as part of a community, even in the midst of catastrophe. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine…
Birds Far Removed from Politics? – The Struggle for Nature and Democracy in Belarus
In der belarusischen Kultur gilt der Vogel als Symbol der Freiheit und als Vermittler. In „Vögel fernab der Politik?“ verbindet er Politik und Natur, Demokratie und Diktatur. Die Ausstellung beleuchtet die Folgen des Krieges in der Ukraine für Umwelt und Geflüchtete…
„Democratic Memories. Democratic Futures“: Umweltaktivismus als demokratische Praxis
From October 8 to 10, 2026, Leipzig will become an international hub for democracy and civil society. More than 70 representatives from Europe and around the world will discuss the following topics in roundtable discussions and panel discussions: democratic coexistence in times of global…
Wem hören wir zu? Plurale Erinnerungen in Zeiten von Krieg und Autoritarismus
From October 8 to 10, 2026, Leipzig will become an international hub for democracy and civil society. More than 70 representatives from Europe and around the world will discuss the following topics in roundtable discussions and panel discussions: democratic coexistence in times of global…
— Program Overview
Our Events
Discourse, Art, and Encounter—our events bring together people who are committed to democracy and social change.
MOVIE
Free admission
“Remembering Means Looking Closely” – Open-Air Movie Screening and Film Discussion
Nikolaikirchhof · 04109 Leipzig
German (The films will be shown in the German version with full German subtitles.)
On June 20, the Nikolaikirchhof will be transformed into a free open-air movie theater for one day. To mark the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Flight and Expulsion, the “Revolutionale” project of the Peaceful Revolution Foundation will screen the award-winning documentaries “Moria Six” and “Einhundertvier” in a public space.
May 16–22
IRT
Opening
Opening of "Revolutionary 2026: Spaces of Change"
, 6 p.m.
› Plant 2 · Kochstraße 132 · 04277 Leipzig
Free admission
May 16–22
IRT
Exhibition
Group Exhibition — Spaces of Change
, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
› Gallery for Contemporary Art, Leipzig
Free admission
May 16–22
Featured Months
Workshop
International Roundtable: Civil Society in Transition—Spaces of Change
, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
› Gallery for Contemporary Art, Leipzig
Free admission
— Program Spotlight
News
News, interviews, and background stories about the Revolutionaries.
Let's Watch Together! – How the Nikolaikirchhof Became an Open-Air Movie Theater
On June 20, Leipzig’s Nikolaikirchhof became a special place of remembrance and dialogue. To mark the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Flight and Expulsion, the “Revolutionale” film series of the Peaceful Revolution Foundation screened the two award-winning documentaries “Einhundertvier” and “Moria Six”—free of charge and right in the heart of the public space. The films tell of life-threatening escape routes, sea rescues, and people whose stories often remain invisible in political debates. Our goal was to bring these stories out of the movie theater and onto the public square, where people happen to pass by, stop, and take a look.
May 22, 2026
Extreme Weather in Eastern Germany? – Reading and Discussion with Alexander Leistner
What is the state of our local democracy? And who keeps it running in everyday life?
At Treibhaus e.V. in Döbeln on May 20, the event wasn’t just about reading—it was, above all, about discussion. The focus was on the book *Extremwetterlagen. Reportagen aus einem neuen Deutschland*—a collection by four authors that brings together current social tensions, political shifts, and personal experiences, particularly in eastern Germany. Co-author Alexander Leistner was there as a guest representative and provided a personal insight into the book project.
January 13, 2026
“Democracy takes root where people take action”
The Revolutionale continues this year. Under the motto “Democratic Memories – Democratic Futures,” the project will focus on historical achievements and current challenges facing civil society as part of the International Roundtable in October 2026.
Initiated by the Peaceful Revolution Foundation, the International Roundtable is a unique project designed to connect and empower local and international activists working for human rights and open societies, and to raise awareness of their causes.
In an interview, project manager Marie Schwarz talks about her vision for this year's Revolutionale.
— A Look Back
Impressions
Highlights and snapshots from past years of Revolutionale: Festival for Change 2024, International Roundtable 2023, Theme Months.
Focus Months Workshop
Opening in 2024
Landscapes
International Roundtable
Festival Performance
Revolutionaries
About Us
"Die Revolutionale " is a project aimed at strengthening civil society's commitment to human rights, democracy, and social change—in Leipzig and internationally.
Initiated by the Peaceful Revolution Foundation, Revolutionale carries forward the idea of system-changing dialogue into the present. In the spirit of the Peaceful Autumn Revolution of 1989, it promotes networking among socio-political actors.
At the heart of it all is the belief that change comes about through encounters, dialogue, and the shared effort to find solutions.
Die Revolutionale brings together stakeholders from civil society, politics, academia, and the arts to jointly develop solutions to current societal challenges.
Peaceful Revolution Foundation
The Peaceful Revolution Foundation, based in Leipzig, builds on the legacy of the peaceful revolution of 1989. It promotes democratic engagement, human rights, and civic participation—locally, across Europe, and internationally.
- Headquarters Leipzig
- Founded in 2010
- Focus Democracy & Social Change
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