Overview

The Lessing Days 2025 took place from late January to mid-February at the Thalia Theater. Under Joachim Lux, the festival confirmed its role as one of Germany's most important international theatre gatherings, with guest performances from Europe and overseas. 2025 marked the penultimate year under this leadership — Matthias Lilienthal will take over from 2026.

For about two weeks, the Thalia Theater presented productions from several countries, complemented by discussions, performances, and talk formats in the foyers. The mix of political theatre, contemporary form, and international exchange remained the hallmark of the Lessing Days.

With around 225,000 spectators in 15 years and over 170 guest performances, the festival has established itself as a significant European event since 2010. In 2025, the Lessing Days once again attracted a diverse audience from Hamburg, the region, and the international theatre scene.

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