Open call for program content

How do we want to live together in the future—in our city, in our society? On August 29, 2026, Chemnitz city center will once again become a place for exchange, ideas, and encounters. At the KOSMOS Festival, streets, squares, and urban spaces will be transformed into stages for discussions, sports activities, art, experiments, and new perspectives.

That's why we're looking for you.

We invite initiatives, associations, organizations, committed individuals, and companies to submit their ideas for the KOSMOS Festival 2026. We are looking for formats from the fields of society, art, sports, and business that bring people together, stimulate reflection, or open up new perspectives.

This year, the event area stretches between Hartmannplatz, Schmidtbankpassage, and Bierbrücke, including the streets An der Markthalle and Fabrikstraße. Both public spaces and urban areas will be part of the festival—from streets and squares to courtyards, shops, or temporarily vacant buildings.

Perhaps you are planning a reading in an unusual location, a sporting record attempt, a discussion to get people talking, a workshop, a hands-on activity, an experiment, or a future workshop for children.

No matter how big or small your idea is, if it brings people together, opens up new perspectives, or invites participation, we would like to hear about it.

Topics – what we want to discuss

The following topics are intended to give you some guidance for your submissions. They are meant as an invitation – not as fixed guidelines. The focus remains on the central question of the festival:

How do we want to live together in the future?

Many current developments can be summarized under the term “transformation.” In eastern Germany in particular, change has been shaping people's lives for over 30 years – socially, economically, and culturally. Questions of participation, justice, and representation are always at the center of attention. We want to make these experiences and perspectives visible at the KOSMOS Festival and continue to think about them together.

Generations: Our society thrives on intergenerational exchange. Different experiences and perspectives shape our view of the present and the future. We welcome formats that bring generations together in conversation, empower young voices, or enable new forms of exchange.

Digital transformation: Digital change is rapidly transforming our everyday lives—most recently through the development of artificial intelligence. These changes bring opportunities, but also raise new questions for society, work, and democracy. At the KOSMOS Festival, we want to discuss these issues openly, critically, and in a nuanced way.

Pop culture: Pop culture shapes social debates, identities, and communities. Music, internet culture, games, and club culture create spaces for new perspectives and forms of expression. We welcome formats that use pop culture as a place for exchange, creativity, and social issues.

Democracy and social cohesion: Since the inception of the KOSMOS Festival, #wirsindmehr (we are more) has shaped our values compass. Openness, solidarity, and democratic engagement remain central principles. Especially in times of social tension, we want to create spaces where democracy, dialogue, and cohesion are strengthened.

Inclusion and sustainability: The topics of inclusion and sustainability have already been discussed together in the KOSMOS workshop. We want to build on this exchange. We welcome ideas that show how participation can be strengthened and resources used responsibly.

Formats – what you can submit:

Possible formats include, for example:

• Workshops or interactive formats
• Talks, discussions, or panels
• Readings or performances
• Sports activities or challenges
• Installations, exhibitions, or interventions in urban spaces
• Participatory projects with visitors

The formats can take place indoors or outdoors.

How to submit your idea:

This year, submissions will be made via our online portal. First, register as a participant and then submit your idea for the festival.

Link to the portal: opencall.kosmos-chemnitz.de

Submission deadline: April 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET

What happens next

The KOSMOS Festival is organized by various curation teams. These teams focus on the respective topics of society, art, sports, business, and music (we will offer a separate process for music submissions in the near future!).

The curation teams are made up of KOSMOS team members and external experts.

The curation teams review all submissions, evaluate them based on our guidelines (LINK), their expertise, and the resources available for the festival, and then contact the selected participants to further develop possible implementations together. You will receive feedback by May 30, 2026, at the latest.

If your project has been selected by the advisory board, you will receive a contract shortly thereafter. The contract is legally binding once it has been signed by both parties.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the open call, please feel free to contact us:

programm@kosmos-chemnitz.de

KOSMOS thrives on people with ideas, perspectives, and drive. We look forward to receiving your submissions!

The open call is being conducted by Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, which is responsible for developing the program for KOSMOS 2026. KOSMOS 2026 is being organized by the city of Chemnitz.