City Life & Community

News from Jena’s city life. Information on urban development, the University, local business, and stories about the people shaping Jena.

Renovation of Stadtkirche St. Michael: Vaulting Exposed and Crane Deployment at Kirchplatz

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Significant progress is being made on the renovation of Jena’s Stadtkirche St. Michael. After debris was cleared from the vaulting to reveal historical structures, a crane will be deployed at Kirchplatz this Tuesday to remove materials. Archaeologists are also on-site searching for historical artifacts in the rubble, while the community has already contributed over 65,000 Euros to support this vital preservation effort.

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Winter Holidays 2026 in Jena: Creative Highlights for Children and Families

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With the winter holidays approaching from February 16 to 22, 2026, Jena offers a variety of creative activities for families. From fairytale shadow theater at the Romantikerhaus to intergalactic art workshops at the Kunstsammlung Jena, there is plenty to explore. Programs are budget-friendly, starting at just 1 Euro for children, making it easy to experience culture and art throughout the city and surrounding region.

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Over 4,500 Euros in Damage: Construction Machinery Stolen in Jena-Süd

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Thieves targeted a construction site in Jena-Süd over the weekend, stealing valuable machinery worth over 4,500 euros. The incident, discovered on Saturday morning, has left the company facing significant financial and logistical hurdles. Police are now seeking witnesses who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area between Friday night and Saturday morning.

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Jena Adventure Days 2026: World Travel and Extremes at Kulturkirche Löbstedt

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Experience the world in Jena! From February 20-22, 2026, the 3rd Adventure Days at Kulturkirche Löbstedt will host ten live presentations. Highlights include Richard Löwenherz’s Siberian fatbike tour and Rico Reißmann’s decade-long world journey that began right at Jena’s Eichplatz. This festival blends professional photography with personal storytelling for all globetrotters and outdoor enthusiasts.

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On the Path to Elite Status: Jena Eyes “University of Excellence” Title and Millions in Funding

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Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is aiming for the top tier of German academia. With two successful Clusters of Excellence already secured, the university is now bidding for the prestigious title of “University of Excellence.” If successful in 2026, the status would bring massive financial backing and international prestige, further cementing Jena’s position as a leading global hub for research and science.

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Sensational Find in Chile: Jena Researchers Discover Triassic “Time Capsule”

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Scientists from Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena have uncovered an exceptionally rich fossil site in Chile’s Atacama-Wüste. This 200-million-year-old “time capsule” contains perfectly preserved insects, fish, and plants from the Triassic period. This discovery offers unprecedented insights into the ancient supercontinent Gondwana and helps researchers understand how life recovers after global mass extinctions.

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Jena Study Reveals: Why Mosses are the Secret Heroes of Our Forests

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Researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have discovered that mosses play a crucial role in protecting our environment. At the Saale-Elster-Sandsteinplatte-Observatorium, a study showed that these small plants act as highly effective filters, preventing excess nitrogen from reaching the groundwater. This research provides vital new insights for sustainable forestry and ecosystem protection in Thuringia.

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Jena Researchers Raise the Alarm: Bird Flu Spreading in Antarctica

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Scientists from the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena have returned from Antarctica with alarming news: the H5N1 bird flu virus is spreading rapidly. On King George Island, the team discovered numerous dead birds, signaling a grave threat to local ecosystems. As the virus reaches these remote regions, iconic penguin colonies face an unprecedented risk due to their social behavior. Jena researchers are now analyzing the global implications of this ecological crisis.

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Contract Termination at FC Carl Zeiss Jena: The Kay Seidemann Chapter Ends

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FC Carl Zeiss Jena and midfielder Kay Seidemann have parted ways. After a tenure marked by intense fan protests and recent disciplinary issues, the club announced a mutual contract termination. Once a top performer, Seidemann’s fitness struggles and a missed training camp ultimately led to his exit. As the club seeks peace, rumors suggest the 25-year-old may join league rivals BSG Chemie Leipzig.

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Hundreds Demonstrate in Jena: Solidarity Following Prison Sentence for Maja T.

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Following an eight-year prison sentence in Budapest, hundreds gathered in Jena to show solidarity with Maja T. The 25-year-old non-binary activist’s case has sparked international debate and diplomatic tensions between Germany and Hungary. While police report 700 attendees, organizers claim over 1,000 joined the march through the city center to protest the controversial verdict and demand a transfer back to Germany.

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