re:publica x New Fall Festival: The programme
re:publica goes Düsseldorf: On October 9 and 10 2026, everyone who attends the re:publica x New Fall Festival at the NRW-Forum and Ehrenhof can look forward to a diverse programme that combines political debates with technological developments, economic topics, and pop culture.
On our stages, politicians, scientists, journalists, content creators, and cultural workers come together.
How is Artificial Intelligence changing our daily lives and our relationships? How much power do platforms have over our public sphere? What does democracy need in times of polarization and disinformation? And how are digital technologies transforming media, culture, and pop culture? Over the course of two days, through lectures, panel discussions, live podcasts, and interactive formats, the focus will be on encounters, discourse, and active participation. The event is free and open to anyone who wants to understand, experience, and actively shape the digital transformation.
Joining us this year:
- In the opening panel, “Trapped in the feed? How social media is changing our media landscape” we’ll discuss the current debate on social media bans, age restrictions, and platform regulation with Nathanael Liminski, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, and Media, and Head of the State Chancellery. Alexandra Geese, Member of the European Parliament and an expert on European digital policy and platform regulation, will provide a political perspective on the power of major tech platforms.
- Isabelle Rogat, expert trend and digitality, examines the topics, trends, and debates currently shaping our digital public sphere. “Feverdream rewind – what we can learn from the viral debates of 2026”
- Luna Möbius, a content creator and political communicator from Saxony-Anhalt, discusses the success of the AfD, political communication, and the role of social media in the shift to the right. Democracy under pressure – what now?
- In her talk “Demystifying AI agents” Karine Gromada takes a critical look at the AI hype and asks how we can develop a more realistic and confident relationship with artificial intelligence:
- Gavin Karlmeier, Nicole Diekmann and Dennis Horn. They will be recording an episode of the “Haken Dran” podcast live on site.
- Sammy Eiding, a content creator known as @sammagehtsnochjunge, explores the topics of body neutrality, beauty ideals, external judgments, and gender-specific expectations – both offline and online – in her interactive live podcast. Softness as resistance – bodies between capitalism and control
- Quentin Gärtner: Germany completely lost?
- Thomas Jarzombek and Markus Beckedahl: "Who decides about our digital future?"
- Malte Küppers and Burak Yilmaz with a live recording of their podcast "Brennpunkt"
… and many more!
Off Stage: Get involved, try new things, shape the future!
Offstage, the re:publica x New Fall Festival programme takes an interactive turn: At the “ENSURE Energy Transition Explorer” visitors can playfully experience the challenges of the energy transition firsthand and try out different decisions for the future. The participatory installation “The Longest Manifesto of Hope – 2030 is going to be awesome!” invites everyone to formulate their own visions for a better future and thus collectively shape a growing manifesto. At KI_OSK, children in particular are introduced to Artificial Intelligence in a playful way, including monster hunts, riddles, and their own ideas for the future.
The programme, including the schedule, is now available here. We've compiled all the additional information for you here.
Join us in Düsseldorf – we look forward to seeing you!