Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Wednesday 15 July 2026 begins

Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar: Zum deutschen Artikel.

LZ went along to see for itself: the workers and local residents affected by the bridge construction sites on Pittlerstraße and Linkelstraße are true heroes. The work is necessary, but hard to put up with. The situation is less heroic for our smaller companions. Today, the Budde-Haus is focusing on the decline of insects – and its consequences. And at the Südfriedhof, there’s a very special guided tour taking place today as part of the CSD.

When aircraft noise becomes a minor issue

Residents living near the railway bridge on Pittlerstraße have been eagerly awaiting this day, albeit with some trepidation. That’s because the work being carried out there, right outside their windows, is finally set to become quieter again. The railway company intends to complete the work there today – work which has, at the very least, been extremely noisy. Meanwhile, as part of the replacement of the two railway viaducts in Leipzig-Wahren – both over 100 years old – the particularly noisy phase of construction is shifting to the Linkelstraße railway viaduct.

According to Deutsche Bahn, the demolition work there will continue until early August 2026. After that, noise levels are expected to drop significantly here too, as the work carried out will then be predominantly less intensive. According to Deutsche Bahn, the existing bridges had reached the end of their technical service life and are being completely replaced.
Both construction projects are being carried out simultaneously during a closure of the railway line lasting several months, in order to shorten the overall construction period. During the current construction phase, equipment such as excavators, wheel loaders, lorries and hydraulic demolition tools is being used.

For residents particularly affected, Deutsche Bahn is offering support measures, including alternative accommodation. According to Deutsche Bahn, affected households will be informed directly. At the same time, the company asks for understanding that, despite all efforts, disruptions cannot be completely avoided.

Residents living just a few metres away from the deafening noise of the demolition work confirmed to LZ on site that Deutsche Bahn is making efforts to alleviate the situation, but also reported on the harshness of the circumstances. “Yesterday,” said one resident, “we were really afraid the building would collapse. The walls were shaking as if our house itself were being demolished.”

Meanwhile, the S-Bahn line between Leipzig-Slevogtstraße and Schkeuditz will remain completely closed until 10 October 2026. Passengers can use replacement buses and the specially introduced S-Bahn line S35. In addition, Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe has adjusted its services along tram line 11. Road traffic restrictions are also expected to continue.

What’s that buzzing (or not anymore)?

It flies straight for your ear; if you’re not careful, you’ll find it under your shirt a moment later. If it lands in your Fassbrause, it’s saved – even if it was annoying you beforehand. But of course, only so you don’t end up drinking it: the wasp. Quite apart from the fact that it, too, has its rightful place in the ‘circle of life’, the world of insects is far more diverse than this black-and-yellow nuisance would suggest. And the threat to insect life is far greater than a glass of fizzy drink poses to a wasp.

Today, the Heinrich-Budde-Haus in Leipzig-Gohlis invites you to an extraordinary exploration of the global decline in insect populations. Under the title ‘Be ready for your insect!’ Kurt Mondaugen and Dorit Löffler will be staging an open-air performance from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Budde-Haus’s art garden at Lützowstraße 19, combining literature, sound, theatrical elements and audience participation. Both artists are the initiators of the interdisciplinary research station ‘On Disappearance – On the Poetry and Philosophy of Insects’, which explores ways of reflecting on the loss of biodiversity from an artistic and philosophical perspective.

The performance is deliberately taking place amongst the plants and insects in the art garden and forms part of the museum’s own environmental year ‘Mach was draus!’ as well as the supporting programme for the exhibition ‘Winzig. Wild. Important.” Instead of a traditional reading, visitors can expect a staged performance featuring texts and artistic figures centred on dragonflies, bees, bumblebees, ants and other insects. Admission is free; no ticket booking is required. The organiser simply asks for voluntary donations.

The Budde-Haus recommends travelling by tram 12 or S-Bahn lines S1 and S3 to Gohlis S-Bahn station; from there, it is about a 50-metre walk. However, due to engineering works, visitors travelling from Schkeuditz will need to use the rail replacement bus service. Bicycle parking is available on site; there are virtually no car parking spaces in the residential area.

Straight and queer – a CSD guided tour of the Südfriedhof

Queer life right through to death – struggles for acceptance, but also romantic fulfilment. An unusual guided tour takes place today at Leipzig’s Südfriedhof as part of Christopher Street Day week. Entitled “Full of Life”, a one-hour “audio walk” begins at 2 pm. The focus is on queer mourning, the culture of remembrance and coming to terms with death and mortality.

Unlike a traditional guided tour, during the group walk participants will listen via their own headphones to a specially produced audio track featuring narratives and distinctive sounds tailored to the location. All you need is a charged smartphone: at the meeting point, a QR code will take you directly to the audio content; no additional app or registration is required. After the audio segment, there will be an opportunity for a group discussion with the author, Marie-Luise Engelmann.

The event is aimed at queer people, those in mourning and anyone curious to find out more, aged 16 and over. The audio walk combines personal experiences with the unique atmosphere of one of Germany’s largest cemeteries and invites participants to reflect on memory and queer realities of life. Participation is free of charge. The starting point is near the Südfriedhof administration office at the gate, right next to Blumen-Kaiser, and will be marked with a flag. Another session will take place on Friday, 17 July, also from 2 pm to 3 pm.