Jagoda Marinić, one of the most influential public voices of our time, will open the Lessingtage 2026. In her speech, she will share her impressive thoughts on contemporary social phenomena: How can we revitalize democracy after populism? Based on political developments in Europe, we will turn our attention to Poland, where a right-wing populist government was voted out of office. What can we learn from this situation? How can democracy remain resilient? How can social polarization be overcome?
The question of how societies can “re-democratize” themselves runs through the Lessingtage—and begins with Jagoda Marinić's words. An invitation to learn from experiences together, to open up perspectives, and to hear what freedom means today.
Jagoda Marinić addresses questions of freedom, identity, and social change in her books, columns, podcasts, and on stage. As a writer, journalist, and podcaster, she has been shaping debates in German-speaking countries for years, and has also published internationally, including in the New York Times. With her ARD podcast FREIHEIT DELUXE, she provides new inspiration every week and was nominated for the Grimme Prize for her arte talk show Das Buch meines Lebens. In 2022, she received the Cultural Journalist of the Year award and most recently the Ernst Toller Prize 2025 for her literary work.
