News from Jena’s city life. Information on urban development, the University, local business, and stories about the people shaping Jena.
The Jena Philharmonic returns to the legendary Kassablanca club for its “Black Box” series on February 10, 2026. Breaking with traditional etiquette, the orchestra’s trumpet section and viola will explore the theme of “Thirst,” inspired by author Max Frisch. This experimental format bridges the gap between high culture and the club scene, offering an intimate and unconventional musical experience.
Jena’s housing market remains strained, but a recent project demonstrates a sustainable solution. By converting a previously unused attic space, the city has gained room for eight additional residents. This approach to urban densification offers a roadmap for creating high-quality living spaces within existing structures, bypassing the geographical limitations of the Saale valley and addressing the local housing shortage effectively.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
