"In a richly illustrated talk, bestselling author Andrea Wulf presents her new book “The Traveller: Georg Forster and the Discovery of Humanity.” She offers insights into the fascinating life of the naturalist, writer and revolutionary, paints a portrait of a man whose thinking was far ahead of his time, and movingly recounts Forster’s search for what unites us—not what divides us.
Andrea Wulf, born in India and raised in Germany, lives in London. As an author, she has received numerous international awards and achieved international success with her bestsellers about Alexander von Humboldt and the early Romantic movement in Jena."

Doors open: 6:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, this event is sold out!

"Jena - Between History and High Tech"

At the university founded in 1558, significant personalities studied and taught. The poet Friedrich Schiller taught here. The physicist Ernst Abbe and the entrepreneur Carl Zeiss developed groundbreaking optical products in Jena. We will show you the Collegium Jenense, the founding site of the university, the Johannistor with Powder Tower, the marketplace with the historic town hall, St. Michael's city church, and much more.

Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2h

Meeting point: Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

©JenaKultur_Siomotion

Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

Dr. Mark Benecke is the chairman of the German Dracula Society. He is a member of the committee for the Nobel Prize for curious, scientific research. He is also a successful author, politician, Donaldist, the most renowned forensic biologist in the world, and a specialist in forensic entomology (the study of insects). His area of expertise: nearly hopeless murder cases. When there seems to be no way out, Mark Benecke is called. Every crime scene is a treasure trove of evidence. They are not immediately visible, but his helpers, the maggots and flies, can provide important answers. It is not death that is Benecke's job, but life after death. When maggots expose the murderer, Benecke has done everything right. Even the smallest creatures on the corpse can provide the crucial hint for clarification. There is no such thing as a perfect murder, because insects never sleep.

Entry 18:30 ATTENTION! No entry after the event starts!

Single appointment fully booked

"Jena - Between History and High Tech"

At the university founded in 1558, significant personalities studied and taught. The poet Friedrich Schiller taught here. The physicist Ernst Abbe and the entrepreneur Carl Zeiss developed groundbreaking optical products in Jena. We will show you the Collegium Jenense, the founding site of the university, the Johannistor with Powder Tower, the marketplace with the historic town hall, St. Michael's city church, and much more.

Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2h

Meeting point: Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

©JenaKultur_Siomotion

Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

A watch collector is murdered; shortly before his death, he had been intensely involved with a Jena astronomer of the 17th century, whose invention should not even exist. An extraordinary crime thriller from Thuringia blending science, history, and astonishing logic.

The world premiere by Merle Zurawski and team tells the story of a house where a family lives, loves and argues – and of the whole universe that comes into being within its walls. Between fragments of memory and an evening soap opera, questions about life, living together and living past one another are explored, with the spectre of mortality always hovering over them.

How can a community develop from the fragments of a mother, a father, a daughter, a son who has been absent for some time, and a grandmother who sits in front of the television all day?

How do collective and individual memory work? And what remains when memories, time and space begin to blur?

Junghanns’ text unfolds in fragments: shards of family life increasingly break free from logic and chronology. Conversations trail off, thoughts overlap, time shifts. Gradually, the impression emerges that it is not only the characters but also the house itself that becomes a vessel for memories – a shared space of family memory. At the same time, a mysterious fur spreads, gradually engulfing the house and its inhabitants.

»Das blaue Haus« does not depict a broken family in the conventional sense. Instead, it presents a picture of a system in which language disintegrates, time becomes unstable and what has been repressed gradually comes to light. The house is not merely a backdrop, but a space of memory – a place where past, present and future meet.

Director: Merle Zurawski
Set & costumes: Nele Schiller & Kathrin Frech
Music: Hans Könnecke
Choreography: Rebecca De Toro
Dramaturgy: Lukas Pergande

Doors open: 7:00 pm

This event is sold out!

A new way to experience Jena:
On this special city tour, you will discover the city center not only with your eyes but also with your taste buds. Join us on an entertaining walk to the most beautiful sights of the city – complemented by four culinary stops that offer little delights.
The snacks are served in lovingly selected venues that reflect Jena's culinary diversity – not exclusively regional, but always special.

Meeting point: Tourist Information Jena

Tito is back! The Americana and desert rock legend par excellence is embarking on a highly anticipated best-of European tour in 2026.
Born in Mexico and raised in the Alaskan wilderness as the son of a trapper, Tito Larriva began his career in Los Angeles. With the PLUGZ and later the CRUZADOS, things quickly took off. A Top 10 single and a cover feature in Billboard magazine later, Larriva became part of the L.A. music and film scene of the 1980s. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were taking their first steps in the rehearsal room next door. Emmylou Harris and Jeff Porcaro (the late TOTO drummer) were his neighbors.
At the same time, the trained ballet dancer’s acting career also began. After his debut as “Hammy” in the “Pee-wee Herman Show” (1981), he worked with Patrick Swayze (Roadhouse), Johnny Depp (Once Upon A Time In Mexico), Antonio Banderas (Desperados 2), Mel Gibson and Milla Jovovich in Wim Wenders’ “The Million Dollar Hotel,” David Byrne (True Stories), Cheech Marin (Born In East LA), in the Oscar-winning short film “Session Man,” and with R. Rodriguez (Grindhouse). Tito Larriva also wrote music for over 50 films (including the title songs for “Machete” (2010) and “Machete Kills” (2013)) and TV series.
Tito & Tarantula got their start when Robert Rodriguez invited them to work on “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1995). Their legendary performance as the vampire house band at the “Titty Twister” bar, and the film’s worldwide success, brought the band to Europe for the first time as Joe Cocker’s support act. The European release of their debut album “Tarantism,” featuring the classic songs from “From Dusk Till Dawn”—“After Dark,” “Angry Cockroaches,” and “Strange Face of Love”—followed in 1997. These songs mark the beginning of a new era in American film music and showcase Tito Larriva’s extraordinary talents as a singer and composer.
Tito & Tarantula grew out of the weekly sessions Larriva hosted under the name Tito & Friends, always joined by outstanding musicians from the L.A. scene. Alongside guitarist Steven Hufsteter, who is said to have turned down Bob Dylan’s offer to join his band, the group has toured Europe, Asia, and North and South America with top-tier musicians such as guitarist Peter Atanasoff (Norah Jones, Ricky Lee Jones) and drummers Alfredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys/Gogol Bordello) and Rafael Gayol (A-ha, Leonard Cohen).

Doors open at 7:00 PM

The online sales period has ended or the ticket allocation has been exhausted. Tickets may still be available from other authorized ticket outlets.

Mist hovers through the dark streets of the East End. A shrill scream tears through the silence! A knife flashes! A dark figure disappears into the night. Jack the Ripper has struck again!
London, 1888. You are an audience member at the judicial investigation of the Ripper murders. The mysterious Alexandrina Kent accuses Inspector Abberline of being the murderer. You accompany Mrs. Kent in her evidence presentation to the scandalous show of the magical Houdinus, to the dreadful asylum of Dr. Hydy, and to a creepy cemetery where body snatchers roam. Can the Ripper actually be unmasked tonight? Or will the truth never come to light?
In this horror-comedy, you are up close and personal, the audience is part of the action. Of course, you can also follow the events from a purely spectator perspective. Between scenes, the kitchen monsters serve you a delicious 4-course menu. An exciting mix of dinner and theater. Also suitable for sensitive nerves.

Admission: 30 minutes before the start

The online allocation is exhausted. Please contact the event house for booking inquiries.

"Jena - Between History and High Tech"

At the university founded in 1558, significant personalities studied and taught. The poet Friedrich Schiller taught here. The physicist Ernst Abbe and the entrepreneur Carl Zeiss developed groundbreaking optical products in Jena. We will show you the Collegium Jenense, the founding site of the university, the Johannistor with Powder Tower, the marketplace with the historic town hall, St. Michael's city church, and much more.

Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2h

Meeting point: Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

©JenaKultur_Siomotion

Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

On October 14, 1806, Jena moved to the center of European history. The twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt fundamentally changed the political order of the continent: Napoleon Bonaparte consolidated his dominance, while old Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire were nearing their end.
But behind the great historical events were the people of the city. French troops occupied Jena, houses were plundered, the wounded were cared for, and the daily lives of the population were profoundly disrupted. Prominent figures such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe also experienced those dramatic days firsthand.
The city tour “Napoleon, Goethe und die Schlacht von Jena” visits selected locations in central Jena and brings the events of 1806 to life. Fascinating stories, historical background, and vivid eyewitness accounts paint a compelling picture of those days that shaped the fate of Jena and Europe.

Admission: 10:30 a.m.

This event is sold out!

PROGRAM

Erich Wolfgang Korngold:
“Straussiana. Polka – Mazurka – Waltz” for orchestra

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Horn Concerto No. 2 E-flat major KV 417

Richard Strauss:
Suite from the opera “Der Rosenkavalier” WoO 145

PERFORMERS
Luis Manuel Lorite López, horn
Jenaer Philharmonie
N. N., conductor

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Admission: 18:00 Uhr

The world premiere by Merle Zurawski and team tells of a house where a family lives, loves, and argues – and of the whole universe that develops between its walls. Between fragments of memory and soap operas, questions surrounding life, cohabitation, and living past one another are negotiated, over which the finitude always hovers.

How can a community develop from the fragments of mother, father, daughter, son, who has been absent for a long time, and the grandmother who sits in front of the television all day?

How do collective and individual memories function? And what remains when memories, time, and space begin to blur?

Junghanns' text unfolds in fragments: shards of familial coexistence increasingly detach from logic and chronology. Conversations break off, thoughts overlap, times shift. Gradually, the impression arises that not only the characters but also the house itself becomes a bearer of memories – a shared memory space of the family. At the same time, a mysterious fur spreads out, gradually overrunning the house and its inhabitants.

"Das blaue Haus" does not depict a broken family in the classical sense. Rather, it creates the image of a system in which language collapses, time is unstable, and repressed things gradually become visible. The house is not merely a backdrop, but a space of memory – a place where past, present, and future meet.

Director: Merle Zurawski
Stage & Costume: Nele Schiller & Kathrin Frech
Music: Hans Könnecke
Choreography: Rebecca De Toro
Dramaturgy: Lukas Pergande

Entrance: 19:00 Uhr

PROGRAM

Henri Marteau:
Eight Songs for Voice and String Quartet op. 10

Maurice Ravel:
String Quartet in F Major op. 35

PARTICIPANTS

Susanne Veeh, Mezzo-soprano
Alexander Lesch, Violin
Maria Holzer-Graf, Violin
Sebastian Hensel, Viola
Carmen Dreßler, Cello

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Admission: 10:30 AM

20 years have passed since the British rock trio The Subways first crowned their "Rock & Roll Queen." A song that marked the beginning of a glorious band career. It's no surprise that Billy Lunn, Charlotte Cooper, and Camille Phillips – the current lineup of the band – have decided to celebrate their anniversary appropriately.

The 20th birthday does not mark the end of the band's story; quite the opposite. Because vocalist and bassist Cooper says about the upcoming tour: "We really hope that this marks the halftime of our career – we are far from done." When the band formed in 2003 in Welwyn Garden City, England, they and frontman Billy Lunn were still teenagers. They began writing and releasing songs together and only two years later, they achieved a major breakthrough with their debut album "Young For Eternity" and the hit "Rock & Roll Queen" included on it. The track became an internationally celebrated indie hit and its fame was only multiplied by placements in the gangster film "RocknRolla," among others.

In the following years, The Subways continued to refine their signature sound of energetic guitar riffs and the perfectly balanced mix of punk attitude and indie melodies. With a few years apart, four more albums "All or Nothing" (2008), "Money and Celebrity" (2011), "The Subways" (2015), and "Uncertain Joys" (2023) were released. Last year, The Subways compiled the best of this impressive discography in their best-of compilation "When I’m With You."

And that's exactly what they aim to bring on tour! Here, the Brits promise to share a harmonious balance of the past and future with their fans, as alongside the biggest hits of the past two decades, new tracks have also made their way onto the setlist.

Doors open at 6:00 PM

Admission from 6 PM

"Jena - Between History and High Tech"

At the university founded in 1558, significant personalities studied and taught. The poet Friedrich Schiller taught here. The physicist Ernst Abbe and the entrepreneur Carl Zeiss developed groundbreaking optical products in Jena. We will show you the Collegium Jenense, the founding site of the university, the Johannistor with Powder Tower, the marketplace with the historic town hall, St. Michael's city church, and much more.

Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2h

Meeting point: Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

©JenaKultur_Siomotion

Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

"Jena - Between History and High Tech"

At the university founded in 1558, significant personalities studied and taught. The poet Friedrich Schiller taught here. The physicist Ernst Abbe and the entrepreneur Carl Zeiss developed groundbreaking optical products in Jena. We will show you the Collegium Jenense, the founding site of the university, the Johannistor with Powder Tower, the marketplace with the historic town hall, St. Michael's city church, and much more.

Duration: approx. 1.5 - 2h

Meeting point: Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16

©JenaKultur_Siomotion

Jena Tourist Information, Markt 16