Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Tuesday 28 July 2026 begins

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A suitcase in Paris would, of course, be nicer. But here there’s only one for the districts of Leipzig where there are no longer any citizens’ offices. What’s more, bicycles are looking for their former owners. The Passage Cinema invites you to view our society through the eyes of a chicken that has only just escaped death. And today, 300 years to the day after its premiere, you can experience a Bach cantata.

No bus will be coming

Half a year ago, it made its first major appearance: the city’s community bus. In areas where local community offices had been closed down, it was intended to provide a full service on selected days, despite the closures. Although this custom-built vehicle has the word ‘Daily’ in its name, the administrative red tape proved too much for the blue-nosed Iveco, at least for the time being.

It has been in for repairs for over a week. It was actually due to stop in Böhlitz-Ehrenberg today, but the local community newspaper refers to a “still ongoing stay in the workshop”. The city has not yet published an explanation of the cause of the fault – for example, whether the engine, electrical system, IT or other vehicle technology is affected.

And because the little town hall on wheels is out of action, things are now going back to how they used to be. Today, the citizens’ service is available at the “Große Eiche” socio-cultural centre at Leipziger Straße 81, in the local council chairman’s office. Opening hours are from 10 am to 12 noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm.

With the so-called ‘citizen’s case’, the city administration is playing its trump card: significantly smaller than the bus, but packed with administrative capabilities. This is a portable, technically equipped administrative workstation that can be set up inside buildings, thereby replacing the bus that is otherwise used on site. A replacement, then, for the replacement of the citizens’ offices – plugged in within an office…

According to the local authority, the capabilities of this mysterious case encompass the entire range of services offered by a citizens’ office, with the exception of official certifications and registration or change of address using foreign documents.

And who knows, perhaps this type of service will catch on and an innovative mind will come up with the idea of offering future services of this kind in permanent premises with fixed opening hours. It would cause quite a stir across the local districts.

All in good time

However, time is running out. The Leipzig police have compiled a list of 12 bicycles that are presumably sorely missed by their rightful owners. Anyone wishing to reclaim one of these stolen or lost bikes has today as their last chance to submit a claim of ownership.

The bikes in question, along with their respective case numbers and photos, have been published on the Saxony Police website. Anyone who recognises one of the bikes can still register their claim today by emailing the Central Evidence Office of the Leipzig Police Headquarters at zast.izd.pd-l@polizei.sachsen.de or via the relevant police station.

It is important to enclose suitable proof of ownership. This includes, for example, a proof of purchase or an invoice, the frame or vehicle identification number, a bicycle registration certificate or proof of registration, insurance documents for mopeds, photographs showing distinctive features, or other documents that provide credible evidence of ownership. In addition, the reference number for the relevant two-wheeler, as stated in the notice, should be provided.

If no substantiated claim is received by the deadline, the Leipzig Police Headquarters may proceed with the disposal procedure in accordance with Section 33 of the Saxon Police Enforcement Service Act (SächsPVDG). The seized items may then, for example, be sold.

To make it easier to recover a lost bicycle in future, the police recommend having it individually coded. This service is available today, for example, at the Environmental Information Centre, Prager Straße 119, from 12.15 pm to 4.45 pm. All dates for the city’s free service can be found HERE on the website.

A valid identity document and proof of ownership are essential for the coding process. And, of course, the bicycle itself. Incidentally, around 300,000 bicycles are stolen in Germany every year. Although a stamped code does not prevent theft, it does make it less attractive, as bikes with the number milled out are unlikely to have come into the hands of their subsequent owners by legal means.

Here’s looking at you – Chicken

Today, the film “A Chicken’s View of Life” celebrates its Leipzig premiere. It blends a smuggling story with the perspective of a chicken that has escaped factory farming. From this unusual perspective, the film explores themes such as industrial animal farming, human exploitation, freedom, consumer society and the relationship between humans and animals.

The production is not intended as a children’s film, but rather as a satirical and, at times, absurd social parable. The event begins at 6.30 pm at the Passage Cinemas (Hainstraße 19). Director György Pálfi is expected to attend as a special guest and will present his work in person.

Pálfi’s films are regularly featured at prestigious film festivals and, with their unusual visual language and black humour, are among Hungary’s most internationally acclaimed auteur films. The director has won several awards, including the prize for ‘Best New Director’ at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Fassbinder Prize as part of the European Film Awards. His film “Hukkle – The Village” was Hungary’s entry for the Oscar in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category in 2008.

“A Chicken’s View of Life” is being screened this evening in the original language with subtitles. Because Pálfi struggled for a long time to find a suitable film score, he eventually decided, in his own words, to stop looking for the right music and start looking for the right person instead. This is reported by the British film portal “Eye for Film”.

The director held a sort of audition for the composer and chose Szabolcs Szőke, even though the latter hadn’t played anything for him prior to the studio recording. When the producers wanted to know what sort of music they would be getting for their money, Pálfi replied: “I don’t know, but I trust this guy. He’ll make good music.” And that music was indeed used in the end.

300 years after its premiere – Bach’s “Seelenlust” at St Thomas’ Church

To mark the 276th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s death, a so-called ‘Wandelkonzert’ will link St Nikolai’s Church with St Thomas’s Church this evening. The first part of the concert begins at 6.00 pm at St Nikolai’s. After around 50 to 60 minutes, the audience will walk through the city centre to the Thomaskirche courtyard, where they will be welcomed at 7.00 pm by brass players on the tower of St Thomas’s Church.

The second part of the concert begins at 8.00 pm inside the church. Due to the likelihood of large crowds, it is advisable to arrive at the Thomaskirchhof by around half past seven. A single ticket is valid for both church concerts. Standard admission is 25 euros (concession 15 euros). Tickets are still available today at the Thomasshop, at the bookstall at St Nicholas’ Church, at the Oelsner music shop and at Reservix booking offices.

Drinks at the reception in the Thomaskirchhof are not included in the admission price. For wheelchair users and one accompanying person, the ticketing information advises booking directly with the organiser on 0341 22224200.

The programme at St Nicholas’ Church includes, amongst other works, the Mass in G major, BWV 236, parts or excerpts from *The Art of Fugue*, BWV 1080, and other works by Bach. At St Thomas’s Church, the focus will be on the cantata ‘Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust’, BWV 170. It was premiered in Leipzig on 28 July 1726 by Bach’s cousin Johann Ludwig.