2026 Anniversary of the Battle of Jena Auerstedt

From October 16 to 18, 2026, the Jena region will become a place of living history: together with the city of Jena, the towns of Vierzehnheiligen, Cospeda, Closewitz and Lützeroda as well as numerous associations and research partners, the "Jena 1806" working group is preparing the commemorative events for the 220th anniversary of the battles of Jena and Auerstedt.

The highlight of the weekend is the large-scale battle re-enactment with several hundred re-enactors from Europe on historical grounds - embedded in a diverse supporting program with a bivouac, exhibitions, video projections and the traditional autumn market.

"Only together can we convey history in a lively and responsible way," says Andre Hermann, Deputy Chairman of the AG. "The close cooperation between the town, villages, associations and institutions is what makes this project possible in the first place."

"We want to bring history to life - with respect for the victims and in the knowledge that wars belong in history books, not in the present," adds association chairman Andre Funke.

A sign of reconciliation

The motto "Wars belong in the history books" also characterizes the upcoming commemorative year. In addition to the battle display, the focus will be on the inauguration of a new memorial at the Vierzehnheiligen church.

"The memorial is being created in close consultation with the local communities and is intended to become a common place of remembrance, peace and European understanding," says Funke. The working group had already created a crypt for anonymously recovered remains in 2016 - also in cooperation with local partners.

Vierzehnheiligen itself will also be a central site of remembrance in 2026. From Friday to Sunday (October 16-18), the large bivouac of the actors and actresses will take place on the meadow orchard at the site - with historical camp life, open catering by the Vierzehnheiligen Volunteer Fire Brigade Association as well as an exhibition and video projections at and in the church. Topics such as historical surgery, land surveying around 1800 and traditional crafts will round off the program.

"We want to lay the foundations for the performers in Vierzehnheiligen with the bivouac and, together with the battle re-enactment and the farmers' market in Lützeroda, give visitors a lively insight into those times. It is particularly important to us to promote the coming together and friendship of more than 20 nations - a peaceful coexistence in the spirit of history," emphasizes Gunther Wolcke, district mayor of Vierzehnheiligen. "The church will serve as an exhibition space and projection screen for a video mapping - a place where history and the present enter into a dialog with each other."

City of Jena supports a lively culture of remembrance

"It is important to me that history is not only documented, but also brought to life. The battles of 1806 shaped Europe - and their memory can give us guidance today: for respect, responsibility and peace," emphasizes Johannes Schleußner, Head of Education and Culture. "The cooperation between the city, associations and localities shows impressively how cultural education and a culture of remembrance go hand in hand. Every re-enactment, every exhibition and every bivouac helps to ensure that history is understood - and that we learn from it. The city of Jena will continue to stand firmly by the side of all those involved in order to support this commitment and make it visible."

Regional cooperation and commitment

The "Jena 1806" working group has around 35 members and has been committed to a lively culture of remembrance since 1987. Extensive preparations are underway for the commemorative year 2026: Ticket sales, permits, funding applications, sponsor acquisition and international participants.

Thanks to the support of the Institute for Military History Research Jena 1806, the 1806 Museum in Cospeda, the village associations and regional sponsors such as Gönnataler Agrar eG and Globus-Markt Isserstedt, a project is once again being created that will radiate far beyond the region.

"An event like this is only possible with many partners. Every helping hand counts," emphasizes Hermann. "Our aim is for people in Jena and the villages to feel that this is their piece of history - and that they are actively helping to shape it," adds Funke.

Im Bild (v.l.): Andre Funke, Günther Queisser, Johannes Schleußner, Andre Hermann, Andreas Stiebritz (vorne), Gunther Wolcke (hinten), Robert Heine

© Stadt Jena