Hello Leipzig: This is how Thursday 29 October 2026 begins

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A story that would make for a chapter in a comic book all of its own: Was the Leipzig-based creator of Fix and Foxi a soft touch? From today, traffic on the motorway will be (slightly) smoother, things are set to get really noisy at Auensee – and an information evening will shed light on when protest reaches its criminal law limits. And where those limits were drawn incorrectly in the past.

Fix and Foxi in court in Leipzig

Just how dangerous are ‘Fix and Foxi’ to our country’s security? Was their creator an informant for the secret service? For years, a German tabloid has been trying to shed light on the possible links between comic legend Rolf Kauka and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND). Today, the dispute is before the local Federal Administrative Court

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In the case with the reference number BVerwG 10 A 4.25, *BILD* is suing the BND. According to the newspaper, the intelligence service has refused for eight years to answer questions about possible collaboration with the comic book publisher, who died in 2000. Yet this is about far more than the adventures of “Fix and Foxi” and their clumsy adversary Lupo.

As investigative journalist Hans-Wilhelm Saure reports, the BND holds around 1,800 pages of documents relating to Kauka and his Munich-based publishing house. However, the documents remain under lock and key. The Chancellor’s Office had the papers classified and justifies the secrecy on the grounds of potential risks to Germany’s welfare and security. In the authorities’ view, even information dating back decades could still allow conclusions to be drawn about the working methods of the intelligence services.

Kauka was friends with the former BND President Gerhard Wessel. The two had known each other since their time in the Wehrmacht. According to the newspaper’s investigations, Kauka wanted to have a relay station built for the intelligence service at his Italian holiday home. The plan reportedly failed due to local protests. Even more explosive: Kauka is said to have acted as a so-called ‘procurement assistant’ for the BND. According to BILD, his publishing house may also have served as a cover for covert operations and agents. These allegations have not yet been proven.

However, the case before the Federal Administrative Court today does not concern the release of the entire file, but rather whether the BND must answer five specific questions posed by the plaintiff, the newspaper BILD. BILD had already lost a separate case seeking access to the files in 2025. According to the newspaper, an appeal against this decision is currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights.

Whether the secrets surrounding the father of ‘Fix and Foxi’ will remain under wraps or whether the BND will have to provide at least some answers lies today in the hands of the federal judges in Leipzig.

Rolf Kauka

was born on 9 April 1917 in Markranstädt near Leipzig. The future creator of the famous comic characters trained as a chemist’s assistant and embarked on an artistic career in the 1930s. As early as 1937, his first drawings appeared in the *Leipziger Neueste Nachrichten*, which he signed as “Rudo Kauka”. The young illustrator later became one of Germany’s most successful comic book publishers, whose characters captivated millions of readers.

Bye-bye, traffic jam – see you in a bit!

Since Monday, roadworks on the A14 motorway towards Dresden have been causing traffic disruption. Between the Grimma and Mutzschen junctions, the left-hand lane is temporarily closed due to construction work, leading to traffic jams, particularly during rush hour and for delivery traffic. According to the motorway police, this is set to come to an end today.

Whilst the works were scheduled from 8 am to 6 pm each day from Monday to Wednesday, the final closure for today is scheduled from 8 am to 3 pm. This is according to official traffic warnings. A complete closure of the A14 has been avoided, though the relief felt by users of this route is likely to be short-lived.

Construction work is already scheduled to take place again next week between Grimma and Mutzschen in the direction of Dresden. From Tuesday to Friday, 6 November, drilling work is due to take place on a bridge. Daytime roadworks are planned from 8 am to 6 pm, with night-time work from 6 pm to 8 am. The work is due to finish at 1 pm on Friday next week.

Construction work is also taking place in the western Leipzig area: between the Schkeuditzer Kreuz junction and the Schkeuditz slip road, work in the direction of Leipzig has been announced for Tuesday, 3 November, from 7.30 am to 4 pm.

On Wednesday 4 November, work will take place in the opposite direction at the same times. In addition, from 2 to 12 November, a drainage channel in the area of the lorry parking bays at the Muldental Nord service area, in the direction of Dresden, is to be repaired daily between 6 am and 6 pm. But then again, that only affects those who are NOT driving at the time.

Protests and the law

An event taking place today at the ‘Meuterei’ (Zollschuppenstraße 1) is looking at the potential criminal law implications of political demonstrations. Under the title ‘Criminal Law on Demonstrations – Breach of the Peace’, Leipzig-based lawyer Daniel Werner will explain the legal criteria for the offence under Section 125 of the Criminal Code and its application to protest events.

The talk, followed by a discussion, begins at 7 pm. Drawing on the events surrounding the so-called ‘Tag X’ demonstration on 3 June 2023 in Leipzig, the session will explain the conditions under which participants in a gathering can be prosecuted for breach of the peace. Werner will also discuss possible defence strategies and the legal analysis of the clashes that took place at the time.

In connection with those events, approximately 1,300 preliminary investigations were conducted. According to consistent reports, the rate at which cases were dropped was around 70 per cent.

Tough but warm-hearted

For anyone who finds the approaching dreary weather not gloomy enough, Haus Auensee offers a refuge this evening: no fewer than three internationally renowned metal bands are performing in the trade fair city. The Finnish band Beast in Black are coming to Leipzig as part of their “Resurrection Tour 2026”, alongside Sonata Arctica from Finland and Frozen Crown from Italy. The show kicks off at 6.30 pm.

Beast in Black combines melodic heavy metal with power metal elements and gained international recognition with their 2017 debut album ‘Berserker’. The album achieved platinum status in Finland, as did its 2019 follow-up, ‘From Hell With Love’. The album “Dark Connection”, released in 2021, was also awarded a gold disc in Finland.

Sonata Arctica made their breakthrough with their 1999 debut album “Ecliptica”. Known for their melodic, keyboard-driven power metal, the band have received several gold discs in Finland, including for “Silence”, “Winterheart’s Guild” and “Reckoning Night”, and have been nominated multiple times for the Finnish Emma music award.

The third band on the line-up is Frozen Crown from Italy. Formed in 2017, the band combines power metal with classic heavy metal and speed metal. They gained international attention through touring, including two self-organised concert tours of Japan, as well as appearances at the Sabaton Open Air and the Rock Imperium Festival.

The joint European tour is tightly scheduled: it began on 26 October in London and took the bands via Brussels and Tilburg to Leipzig. A gig in Vienna follows as early as 31 October. Tickets are available via Eventim and at the box office.

From Leipzig Central Station, Haus Auensee can be reached by taking tram line 11 to the ‘Wahren’ stop. From there, it is about a ten-minute walk; alternatively, bus route 80 goes to the ‘Auensee’ stop, which is right in front of the venue. Due to track works at the main station and Augustusplatz, tram line 11 is currently being diverted between Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz and the main station via Thomaskirche and Goerdelerring. Leipzig’s public transport authority recommends checking the latest timetables before setting off.

Licence notice: The image of the two comic characters is taken from the Wikimedia portal and has been released for use there under the name “Baden de”.