Lichtbildarena Jena — The Travel Show Forum
Travel show festival with multi-visions, photo, and encounters in the heart of Jena
About Lichtbildarena
Travel to this festival
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Mitteldeutschland's Largest Travel Show
Lichtbildarena is Jena's very own festival: a weekend full of travel multi-visions, photo shows, and stories from around the world. For over two decades, the festival has invited photographers, filmmakers, adventurers, and globetrotters to the campus of Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The venue is Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 19, in the heart of the city on the Saale river.
What is a Multi-Vision?
A multi-vision is a stage-ready travelogue, presented live by the narrator, featuring photos and films — comparable to an audiovisual reading on a big screen with surround sound. In the hall, images, maps, and music are interwoven, complemented by personal anecdotes. The format is unparalleled for anyone who loves to travel: no commercial breaks, with Q&A sessions afterward.
Four Program Strands
- Main Program — evening photo shows by professionals: multi-visions about Iceland, Cuba, Madagascar, Iraq, Australia, and other travel classics
- Explorers' Series — daytime events for newcomers and special topics
- Foyer Program — exhibitions, music, encounters; historic cinema bus in front of the hall for open-air screenings
- From Children for Children — program strand for young travel fans
One Woman, One Festival
Behind Lichtbildarena is Barbara Vetter, who has organized and curated the festival since its inception. The calm, personal atmosphere — unlike mass events — is part of the program: after the presentations, time is deliberately left for conversation, listening, exchanging, and asking questions. Over the years, the festival has gained a loyal following of travelers and audience members who travel from all over Germany every November.
Lichtbildarena — edition 2026
Program November 13–15, 2026
The 21st Lichtbildarena once again brings photo storytellers and travelers to the FSU Jena campus. Three days full of encounters, images, and thoughts — stories from afar and of departure, of journeys with children, by raft, on foot or to remote mountains, of doubt, courage, and perseverance.
Program Strands 2026
- Main Program — evening multi-visions by established travel photographers
- Explorers' Series 2026 — daytime talks with newcomers and special topics
- Foyer Program — photo exhibitions and music in front of the hall
- From Children for Children — program strand for younger travel fans
- Cinema Bus Open-Air — historic bus in front of the festival venue, screenings under the open sky
Encounter Festival
A special hallmark of Lichtbildarena: after each presentation, time is deliberately left for conversations with the storytellers. 'Not rushing forward, but staying, listening, exchanging,' is how the festival describes it.
Programme Lichtbildarena 2026
Festival Structure (as of advance sales)
- Friday, Nov 13 — Opening, first evening multi-visions, foyer opens
- Saturday, Nov 14 — Daytime explorers' series and children's program, evening main presentations
- Sunday, Nov 15 — Matinée presentations, foyer program, closing multi-vision
Detailed program with storyteller names and topics will be published from summer 2026 on lichtbildarena.de. Advance sales start there as well.
Highlights Lichtbildarena 2026
- 21st edition — three days of travel multi-visions, photo shows, and explorers' series
- FSU Jena Campus, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 19
- New: historic cinema bus for open-air screenings
- Children's program 'From Children for Children'
Prices Lichtbildarena 2026
Advance sales via Express-Shop on lichtbildarena.de and ticket outlets in Jena. Individual shows as well as day and weekend passes available.
Practical information — Lichtbildarena
Getting There
By train to Jena Paradies or Jena West, then a few minutes' walk or tram to Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße. By car: Exit Jena-Lobeda (A4), then head towards the city center, parking garages in the university district.
Tickets
Advance sales via the Express-Shop on lichtbildarena.de and at ticket outlets in Jena. Individual shows or day/weekend passes available.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Lichtbildarena al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Lichtbildarena
Campus der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 19, 07743 Jena, 07743 Jena