Your update on city life, tips, and upcoming events in Jena.
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.
FC Carl Zeiss Jena has officially terminated the contract of midfielder Kay Seidemann. Despite strong on-field stats, the former Erfurt player never found his footing at the Kernberge. Struggling with disciplinary issues and rejection from the Südkurve, the 25-year-old’s journey in Jena ends after 18 turbulent months. Discover the reasons behind the split and his potential next move.
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.
Residents of Jena-Ost are being urged to exercise digital caution following a recent case of computer fraud. Unauthorized withdrawals, though small in amount, have triggered a police investigation. Learn how cybercriminals operate and how you can protect your financial data from similar attacks in the digital space.
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.
FC Carl Zeiss Jena’s women secured a vital 2-1 away victory against Union Berlin in a thrilling relegation battle. A 94th-minute winner by Olivia Alcaide at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei allowed the team from Thuringia to finally leave the bottom spot in the Bundesliga. With a clash against giants FC Bayern München looming on Wednesday, Jena is officially back in the race for survival.
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.