Lessingtage 2026, Thalia Theater

In the page's words:

International guest performances, new productions and encounter formats

As usual, the Thalia Theater starts the new year with the Lessing Days. For two weeks, a top-class program of international guest performances, new productions and encounter formats will be brought to Hamburg under the direction of theatre-maker Matthias Lilienthal. In view of the continuing triumph of right-wing and far-right forces in Europe, the term "post-populism" will become a central element of the program. Ten different productions from Japan, Poland and the entire German-speaking world will be shown.

The Lessingtage program

From a programmatic point of view, the Lessingtage will focus primarily on Poland - for example with Marta Górnicka's "Mothers - A Song for Wartime", in which a choir of Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish women between the ages of nine and 71 talk about violence, war and their experiences. Jakub Skrzywanek, artistic director of the Stary Teatr Krakow and the young polarizing director of his generation, shows "Attack on the National Stary Theatre". In addition, an extensive symposium, curated by Julia Roth and Olga Drygas, will shed light on post-populism in discussions and lectures.

The opening speech this year will be given by the writer, publicist and podcaster Jagoda Marinić. In her speech, she will express impressive thoughts on the social phenomena of our time, in particular the question of how democracy can be revitalized after populism.

For the first time, there will be a festival center at the Lessing Days: Under the title "Inhabilia", a group of art students from Düsseldorf will inhabit the foyers of the Thalia Theater around the clock and invite people to share meals, dance and talk.