International Puppet Theatre Festival blickwechsel
The largest puppet theatre festival in Saxony-Anhalt — 25 productions from 10 countries in Magdeburg
About blickwechsel Festival
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A week of world-class puppet theatre in Magdeburg
The International Puppet Theatre Festival blickwechsel is by far the most significant festival for puppet theatre, object theatre, and visual theatre in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Every two years, Puppentheater Magdeburg invites international companies to the state capital — and thus artists who shape the genre throughout Europe and beyond. The 14th edition in 2026 is the first under the new artistic direction of Ania Michaelis, together with dramaturgs Sofie Neu and Miriam Locker.
Over 25 guest productions from more than ten countries are on the festival program, plus one premiere and six German premieres. The spectrum ranges from monumental outdoor spectacles with a seven-meter-high kinetic metal sphere — Upside Down by Theater Titanick — to intimate performances for the youngest audiences aged two and up, such as Pluie? by French artist Benoît Sicat.
Venues spread across the city
blickwechsel uses an unusual variety of locations: Puppentheater Magdeburg itself, the historic Klosterbergegarten for the grand opening, the former swimming pool Carl-Miller-Bad, the Gruson-Gewächshäuser with their subtropical atmosphere, the Salbker Wasserturm, the studio Datsche, the Technikmuseum, and the Insel Theater. Each location changes the perception of the performances — and turns the festival stroll through Magdeburg into a play in itself.
More than performances — workshop and writing carousel
blickwechsel is not just a stage, but also a production site. Students from puppetry classes from Poland, Ukraine, and France meet for a masterclass, and the Schreibkarussell (writing carousel) is a workshop for new dramatic texts in the genre. Nine performances are explicitly designed for young audiences — a conscious focus of the new artistic direction. Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and a city on the Elbe, thus becomes the international capital for a week of an art form that oscillates between theatre, visual arts, dance, and performance.
blickwechsel Festival — edition 2026
From Friday, May 29, to Friday, June 5, 2026, Magdeburg will once again transform into the world capital of puppet theatre for the 14th time. The festival opens in the historic Klosterbergegarten with the outdoor spectacle Upside Down by the internationally acclaimed Theater Titanick: a seven-meter-high kinetic metal sphere performs physical theatre in 360-degree choreography — freely accessible, outdoors, with a view of the Elbe.
Throughout the week, over 25 guest productions from more than ten countries will follow. Highlights include the German premiere of Bande Originale (Old Masters, Switzerland), the premiere Atlas of Sounds / Waldstille by Polish artist Ludomir Franczak, and the piece Pluie? for children aged two and up. A total of nine performances are explicitly designed for young audiences.
Programme blickwechsel Festival 2026
Opening — Friday, May 29, 2026
- Klosterbergegarten — Upside Down (Theater Titanick): seven-meter-high kinetic metal sphere, 360-degree physical theatre, Open Air
- Festival opening with reception to follow
In the program
- Bande Originale (Old Masters, Switzerland) — German premiere of visual theatre
- Atlas of Sounds / Waldstille (Ludomir Franczak, Poland) — Premiere on colonial collection practices
- Pluie? (Benoît Sicat, France) — German premiere for audiences aged 2+
- 21 additional guest productions from 10+ countries
- Six German premieres
- Nine performances for young audiences
- Free street theatre in the city
Venues
- Puppentheater Magdeburg (Main venue)
- Klosterbergegarten — Opening
- Carl-Miller-Bad — former swimming pool
- Gruson-Gewächshäuser — subtropical setting
- Salbker Wasserturm
- Datsche, Technikmuseum, Insel Theater
Accompanying program
- Masterclass for puppetry students from Poland, Ukraine, and France
- Schreibkarussell — Workshop for new dramatic texts
The complete program with all start times and tickets is available at puppentheater-magdeburg.de.
Highlights blickwechsel Festival 2026
Prices blickwechsel Festival 2026
Practical information — blickwechsel Festival
Getting there
Magdeburg is accessible by ICE train from Berlin, Hanover, Leipzig, and Frankfurt. From the main station, take tram line 6 to Puppentheater (Warschauer Straße) or Klosterbergegarten.
Tickets and Festival Pass
Tickets are available from Puppentheater Magdeburg. A festival pass allows access to multiple performances.
Venues
Klosterbergegarten, Puppentheater Magdeburg, Carl-Miller-Bad, Gruson-Gewächshäuser, Salbker Wasserturm, Datsche, Technikmuseum, Insel Theater.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place blickwechsel Festival
Klosterbergegarten, Puppentheater Magdeburg u.a.
Am Klosterbergegarten, 39104 Magdeburg