Get involved, help shape the future, and have a voice in the decision-making process!

A festival for everyone—but who actually decides what that means? Since 2022, Buntmacherinnen e.V. has developed the KOSMOS Workshop, a participatory format that asks precisely this question and answers it together with the people of Chemnitz: citizens selected at random work together to develop guidelines and ideas for the KOSMOS Festival. Our vision: a KOSMOS Parliament that actively supports the festival and ensures that it truly remains a festival for all residents of Chemnitz.

After three KOSMOS Workshops, we’ve gained a wealth of experience—from initial tentative steps to real progress, and the challenges that arise along the way. But what does it actually feel like when, as a “regular” Chemnitz resident, you suddenly have a say in a city festival? What impact does this have? And what does it take to ensure that participation isn’t just a format, but actually brings about change?

In this panel, participants from the KOSMOS workshop will share insights into their personal experiences: What surprised them? Where did they make a difference? What frustrated or inspired them? Together with experts, we’ll also discuss the bigger questions: How much participation can a festival handle? What new organizational structures are needed between volunteer work and a permanent team? And what role does citizen participation play in fostering a vibrant local democracy?

This panel invites you to listen, reflect, and join the discussion—for everyone who wonders what genuine participation on a small scale reveals about democracy on a larger scale.