Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Thursday 25 June 2026 gets underway

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A football giant is setting its sights on a small copse. A protest is being held today against this. New Stolpersteine, to be laid later today, commemorate victims of the Nazi dictatorship. And as an alternative to the popular weekly markets, there is once again one of the rare evening markets in the city centre today, aimed primarily at those who work hard during the day.

Opposition to the sale of woodland

An overgrown former allotment site has become the talk of the town and a bone of contention in recent days. The city wishes to sell the approximately 5.7-hectare site, situated between the Kleinmesse exhibition grounds and the Angerbrücke tram terminus, to the top-flight football club RB Leipzig, which intends to create training grounds there (as reported by the LZ).

Environmental organisations and citizens’ initiatives have called for a demonstration against this plan this evening. In their view, the site – now classified as woodland – forms one of the last narrow corridors connecting the northern and southern sections of Leipzig’s floodplain forest. Critics also point out that more than 30 breeding bird species have been recorded in the area, including protected species. The woodland fulfils important functions for the local climate, biodiversity and the connectivity of habitats.

The city council and supporters of the project, however, point out that 27 alternative sites for the Kleinmesse have been investigated. The sale would allow the historic fairground to remain at its current location, whilst RB Leipzig could expand its training centre without the need to develop a new site for the Kleinmesse.

The rally begins today at 6 pm at the junction of Jahnallee and Capastraße. The timing of the protest is linked to the upcoming city council meeting on 1 July, at which the administration’s proposal is due to be voted on.

Commemorating the victims of Nazi terror

Today, Leipzig is commemorating those who fell victim to Nazi persecution with new ‘stumbling stones’. As part of Jewish Week, commemorative stones are being laid at several locations across the city. The highlight will be the laying of ten Stolpersteine for the Jewish Rosenstein family at Ranstädter Steinweg 15 at 2 pm. An hour later, a Stolperstein for Heinz Robert Brau will be laid at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 95.

The Rosenstein family were among the victims of the so-called ‘Polenaktion’. On 28 October 1938, the family, with their eight children, were forcibly deported from the German Reich to Poland along with thousands of other Jewish people. This Reich-wide operation targeted Jews with Polish nationality and is regarded as a significant step towards the further radicalisation of the Nazi persecution policy, even before the November pogroms of 1938. Following the German invasion of Poland, the family’s suffering continued. Several family members were murdered or are still considered missing to this day; only two of the children survived the persecution.

Heinz Robert Brau is also honoured here; as a gay man, he fell victim to Nazi persecution. After periods in Hoheneck youth prison and the Waldheim mental health and care institution, he ultimately fell victim to the regime’s so-called ‘euthanasia’ policy. He was murdered in Brandenburg in 1940.

The ‘Stolpersteine’ are part of the Europe-wide remembrance project by the artist Gunter Demnig. They are laid in front of the last freely chosen places of residence of Nazi victims and make their names and life stories visible in public spaces. Leipzig has been one of the most active cities within the project for many years.

Market day in the cool of the evening

Radishes wilt more slowly in the evening sun! With additional stallholders, family activities and a focus on regional produce, Leipzig’s evening market is once again inviting visitors to the Old Town Hall today. From 4 pm to 9 pm, the square is transformed into a hub for shopping, dining and leisure. Unlike the regular weekly market, this event is aimed primarily at visitors after work. In addition to market stalls and food and drink options, the aim is also to enhance the quality of the city centre experience.

According to the city, the range of offerings has been expanded for the second evening market of the year. New additions include the Lehmann cheese dairy, famous for decades for its blue-veined cheese ‘Der Blaue’, and the Plauderstübchen Leipzig (wines without animal-based fining using gelatine, fish bladder protein or egg white). There are also other vendors, such as a beekeeper from Pegau and the soap manufacturer ‘Schaumwerkstatt’ from the Ore Mountains. The market is accompanied by a programme of activities for families. The Mobile Library run by Leipzig’s Municipal Libraries, the Spielmobil and the Family Office of the Department for Youth and Family Affairs are organising hands-on activities for children and adults.

Andreas Güstel will provide musical entertainment with a piano programme. By combining retail, catering and leisure activities, the city is embracing a format that goes beyond the traditional role of a weekly market and aims to attract additional visitors to the city centre.