Ceremony, party and exhibition: the Theater der Jungen Welt celebrates its 80th anniversary

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With a varied programme for young and old alike, the Theaterhaus am Lindenauer Markt is marking a very special day: the TDJW turns 80 on 7 November and warmly invites everyone to a full day of events. Straddling tradition and innovation, for the oldest professional theatre for children and young people, “this 80th birthday is a fine opportunity to look back on the theatre’s history, to celebrate a spectacular theatre festival together, and to set our sights on the future from there,” says Miriam Tscholl, the theatre’s artistic director.

Its foundation on 7 November 1946, immediately after the end of the war and modelled on the Children’s and Youth Theatre in Moscow, impressively demonstrates the special role attributed to children and young people in the construction of a socialist state.

Despite political interference in the GDR, which also affected the Theater der Jungen Welt, a cultural institution has emerged over the past 80 years that remains vibrant and engaged in an open dialogue with the city’s community: Diverse aesthetic processes, collaborative partnerships with schools and nurseries, participation and inclusion, as well as its role as a ‘third place’, currently shape the theatre’s development.

“I would like to thank our audience and all our supporters, and congratulate all generations in this city on their Theater der Jungen Welt. For our theatre, I hope we continue to maintain an open-minded approach, a vibrant exchange with young people, and that artistic freedom and cultural policy support remain a given,” says Miriam Tscholl, looking to the future.

Celebration – a stage programme for everyone

During a festive ceremony starting at 7 pm, the audience can look forward to a colourful stage programme featuring numerous surprise guests and programme partners. The TDJW ensemble will present highlights from its repertoire, children from the Schola Cantorum will perform their self-penned TDJW birthday song, and the Brazzbanditen will really liven up the atmosphere in the auditorium.

Keynote speakers from Leipzig and beyond will offer insights into the history, present and future of theatre for young audiences. Joining us on stage to offer congratulations – and also celebrating its own birthday – is ASSITEJ Germany (the Federal Association of the Performing Arts for Young Audiences), which is marking its 60th anniversary.

By taking part in the subsequent fundraising campaign organised by the TDJW’s support association, you’ll help ensure that children, young people and families from low-income and socially disadvantaged backgrounds can continue to enjoy theatre visits in the future.

Ceremony, children’s birthday party and celebrations

The ceremony is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are available by telephone, by email to kartenanfragen@tdjw.de and at the venue. Anyone who hasn’t managed to get a ticket or would rather celebrate by dancing is warmly invited to the public after-show party from 9 pm! During the day, from 2 pm, the TDJW invites all children and families to a children’s birthday party featuring workshops, a children’s disco and a colourful birthday treasure hunt around the building.

The birthday programme can be found here.

Exhibition on the history of the TDJW at the City Office

From 11 to 27 November 2026, an exhibition entitled ‘The audience plays the most important role’ will be on display at the Stadtbüro (Burgplatz 1). In it, eighteen contemporary witnesses share their personal stories about the TDJW.

The exhibition opening will take place on 10 November at 6 pm. The exhibition is curated by Eva Bormann in collaboration with the Institute for Theatre Studies at the University of Leipzig and the Centre of Competence for Theatre. Funded by the Leipzig Foundation.

Further information on the exhibition can be found here.