On 22 August: The KlimaFair is back at the market square

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This coming Saturday, 22 August, Leipzig’s Marktplatz will once again be transformed into a hub for climate action, sustainability and social justice from 1.00 pm to 10.00 pm. The “Leipzig for the Climate” initiative invites citizens, associations and organisations to the KlimaFair 2026 to provide impetus for sustainable urban and social policies. As well as numerous information and hands-on stands, visitors can look forward to a high-calibre programme of stage events featuring debates on ethical, family and local political issues for the future. The motto is: ‘Our Planet. Our Future.’

“We find ourselves in the midst of multiple crises and are feeling immense political pressure. But sitting back and waiting is no longer an option,” says Lisa Falkowski, organiser of KlimaFair 2026. “It’s time to take action and make our voices heard! The necessary ecological and social transformation may be painful and challenging, but it is unavoidable if we want to secure a just future. Right now, our social cohesion is what matters most. Only together can we build the necessary pressure and unleash the forces for change at a local level.”

KlimaFair programme

1.00 pm – Opening & Kick-off: Musical opening with Peaceman & The Gang (Leipzig Music School)

2.00 pm – Panel: ‘Having Children in the Climate Crisis’: How does the climate crisis influence family planning, fears about the future and social responsibility? Panellists include author Marisa Becker, philosopher Karim Akerma, religious education expert Prof. Frank M. Lütze and social psychologist Dr Karen Hamann. Moderator: Michaela Koschak.

3.00 pm – Panel: ‘Animal Welfare at the Limit’: Ethical, scientific and legal perspectives on animal rights and animal testing, featuring Sabrina Engel (PETA), Dr Friederike Schmitz (Faba Konzepte e.V.), Carina Heinrich (Saxony’s State Animal Welfare Commissioner), Kathy Kühner (Doctors Against Animal Testing) and Assistant Professor Dr Beryl Eusemann-Keller (University of Leipzig). Moderators: Lisa Falkowski and Dominic Memmel.

4.30 pm – Panel ‘Local Transformation’: Mayors from the Leipzig region discuss the challenges of change in rural areas and ways to achieve greater citizen participation on an equal footing.

6.00 pm – Panel: ‘Leipzig Mayoral Election’: A look ahead to the upcoming mayoral election. What are the candidates’ plans regarding climate protection, biodiversity, agriculture and social justice? Dirk Panter (SPD), The Greens; Dirk Thärichen; Skadi Jennicke (The Left); Alexander Türpe (FDP)

7.00 pm – Evening programme: Live music with The Chili Groove Mafia and a salsa performance, followed by a joint celebration until 10.00 pm.

Support and appeal for donations

To ensure the event can go ahead and to safeguard the long-term, independent work of ‘Leipzig fürs Klima’, the organising team is asking for donations. Donations can be made directly via the Betterplace platform.

“Leipzig fürs Klima” is a non-partisan coalition of individuals, groups and institutions that support the goals of the FridaysForFuture movement, with the aim of calling for consistent climate action and social justice in Leipzig and actively helping to shape these issues.

More information is available here.