News from Jena’s city life. Information on urban development, the University, local business, and stories about the people shaping Jena.
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.
2026 has barely begun, yet the Universitätsklinikum Jena has already celebrated its 100th birth of the year. Little Anastasia Theresa arrived on January 28, marking a significant milestone for the city’s birth statistics. Read more about the arrival of this special ‘anniversary baby’ and why Jena continues to be a top choice for young families in Thüringen.
At a Glance: Shows & Musicals: “Beat It!” (13.02.) and “Aladin” (19./20.02.) kick off the season. Sports: Science City Jena hosts top opponents like Oldenburg and Hamburg in the spring. Culture: Reading with Roland Jankowsky (“Overbeck”) on 25.02.2026. Outlook: Top comedians like Mario Barth and Ralf Schmitz will arrive later in the year. Jena, 08.02.2026 … Read more
Key Facts at a Glance Date: Saturday, February 07, 2026 Location: Jena Innenstadt Participants: More than 700 people Occasion: Solidarity rally for Maja T. / Criticism of the verdict Notable incidents: Use of pyrotechnics, heavy police presence JENA. On Saturday evening, the Jena Innenstadt became the scene of a loud and emotionally charged political rally. … Read more
An international research team led by the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena has uncovered a remarkably preserved Triassic ecosystem in the Atacama-Wüste. Featuring fish, insects, and plants, this 200-million-year-old find offers a rare window into the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana and provides crucial clues about how life recovers after mass extinction events.
Researchers from Jena have documented the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on King George Island. After discovering over 50 dead birds, experts from the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena warn of a devastating impact on the region’s dense penguin colonies. As migratory birds carry the virus to the remote South, the fragile Antarctic ecosystem faces a significant threat of local extinctions.
Short & Concise: The Most Important Facts at a Glance Date & Location: Saturday, 07.02.2026, Jena (Start: Holzmarkt). Occasion: Political assembly under the motto “From Jena to Budapest…”. Number of Participants: Approx. 700 people at peak times. Police Summary: 4 criminal offenses (including resistance), several administrative offenses, ignition of pyrotechnics. Jena (08.02.2026) – A large … Read more
At a Glance Occasion: Protest against the sentencing of Jena-born non-binary person Maja T. in Budapest. Attendance: Police estimate approx. 700; organizers speak of over 1,000 participants. Incidents: Ignition of pyrotechnics and violations of the ban on facial coverings. Outcome: Four criminal charges and several administrative offense proceedings. Jena. A clear sign of solidarity and … Read more
