Jena, April 20, 2026. The first highlights for Kulturarena 2026 have been confirmed: From July 8 to 12, the play “Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world” will be performed on the Theatervorplatz. The production ventures a modern and relatable reinterpretation of the ancient material.
- Event: Play “Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world”
- Date: July 8 to 12, 2026
- Location: Kulturarena, Theatervorplatz Jena
- Website & Tickets: kulturarena.de
Between Trojan alleys and modern youth culture
At the center of the performance is the character of Kassandra, who meets the audience not as a detached ancient prophetess, but as a relatable girl. With scraped knees, she roams through the winding alleys of Troja. The creators focus on the youthful world of the protagonist, who is on the threshold of adulthood and gathers new, even rebellious experiences following her brother’s wedding.
Kick-off for the Jena Summer of Culture
The performance series of “Kassandra” is part of the fixed theater repertoire of the festival’s opening days. The regular season of the Kulturarena this year extends from July 8 to August 23, 2026, and will once again offer a wide range of international concerts, film evenings, and family programs.
The Kulturarena is the largest open-air festival in Jena and has attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the city center every summer since its founding in 1992. The Theatervorplatz is transformed into a covered arena, forming the cultural heart of the city.
The mythological figure of Kassandra was the daughter of the Trojan King Priamos in Greek mythology. She possessed the gift of foresight but was cursed so that no one would believe her prophecies. In literature and theater, her fate is still frequently adapted today to artistically process the painful process of recognizing truths and not being heard – particularly among young people.
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Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world
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