Gänseliesel-Fest Göttingen

The Gänseliesel – Göttingen's Landmark

The Gänseliesel on the central fountain in front of the Old Town Hall has been Göttingen's landmark since 1901. The bronze figure of a young woman with geese under her arm, created by Heinrich Stöckhardt and Paul Nisse, has become deeply ingrained in the city's consciousness for over a century. It is a meeting point for students, tourists, and locals, a photo motif for countless travel pictures, and the focal point of a very special Göttingen tradition: those who successfully defend their doctoral thesis in Göttingen kiss the Gänseliesel.

The 125th Anniversary in 2026

In 2026, the Gänseliesel celebrates its 125th anniversary. This date gives the 30th Gänseliesel-Fest on September 27, 2026, special significance. The City of Göttingen, the 'Einkaufen in Göttingen' initiative, and the '125 Jahre Gänseliesel' association are working on a special program that honors the landmark's importance to the city and expands the usual festival format with anniversary elements.

Program Highlights

The Gänseliesel-Fest is designed as a diverse city festival. Music groups of various genres perform on the main stage and smaller stages in the city center. Theater groups, street artists, magicians, and comedians provide visual and acoustic variety. The culinary mile offers regional and international specialties. Traditional festival highlights centered around the Gänseliesel – games, competitions, photo opportunities in special settings – make the day an experience.

Special Exhibition at the City Museum

To accompany the 125th anniversary, the Göttingen City Museum is hosting a special exhibition on the history of the Gänseliesel from April 9 to October 18, 2026. The exhibition explores the creation of the bronze figure, its significance as a city symbol, the tradition of the doctoral kiss, and the numerous cultural connections over the 125 years.

30th Edition of the Festival

The Gänseliesel-Fest has been celebrated annually since 1996. With its 30th edition in 2026, the format has established itself as a firm fixture in Göttingen's event calendar. The festival is traditionally supported by the 'Einkaufen in Göttingen' association, thus combining cultural programming with the commitment of downtown businesses.