When does the opening event take place?

The opening event begins on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 6:15 PM and is expected to end around 7:45 PM.

Where does the lecture series take place?

The venue is the Town Hall Festive Hall in the Erfurt Town Hall at Fischmarkt 1, 99084 Erfurt.

What is the cost of admission?

Admission to the lectures of the lecture series is free.

Is registration required?

No registration is required. However, seating capacity in the Town Hall Festive Hall is limited to 180 people.

Who is giving the opening lecture?

Prof. Dr. Sophia Hoffmann from the University of Erfurt will open the series with a lecture on international politics and Europe in transition.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

The Town Hall is currently not wheelchair accessible due to a defective elevator.

Experience War and Peace Live: Erfurt's Universities Open Up Space for New Perspectives

Name: "War and Peace" – Lecture Series in the Winter Semester 2026/2027
Start: 2026-10-29T18:15:00+01:00
End: 2026-10-29T19:45:00+01:00
Location: Rathausfestsaal

War and Peace in Erfurt: Science Meets Societal Debate

How do wars arise, under what conditions does peace succeed, and what does peaceful coexistence mean in a changing world? The public lecture series "War and Peace" will launch on October 29, 2026, in the Erfurt Town Hall Festive Hall, opening a ten-part event series with scientific perspectives, current questions, and space for exchange.

Kick-off with International Politics and Europe

The opening presentation will be given by Prof. Dr. Sophia Hoffmann from the University of Erfurt with the lecture "Understanding War and Peace: International Politics and Europe in Transition. How secure is our present?" The focus will be on the causes of armed conflicts, phases of peace, and political debates with a special emphasis on Germany and Europe.

The event is not a classic introduction. It invites participants to challenge familiar viewpoints and connect international politics, conflict research, and societal developments. There will be time for questions, exchange, and discussion afterwards.

Ten Scientific Perspectives on a Current Topic

The lecture series is organized by the City of Erfurt in collaboration with the universities in Erfurt. Involved are the University of Erfurt, the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, the Health and Medical University of Erfurt, the International University of Applied Sciences, and the IU International University.

Subsequent topics will include the conditions of a peaceful society, the traces of war and peace in landscapes, conflicts in relationships, digital warfare, as well as peace and freedom in Europe. Thus, the event planning connects political education, scientific expertise, and societal dialogue.

Open Event in the Historic Town Hall Festive Hall

The lecture series is expressly aimed at all interested parties in Erfurt. Students, university members, and city guests will experience a concentrated event atmosphere in the Town Hall Festive Hall and get the opportunity to learn about current questions from various fields. The event series takes place every two weeks on Thursdays from 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM; it will pause during the Christmas season.

Entry is free, and no registration is required. The seating capacity in the Town Hall Festive Hall is limited to 180 people. Due to a defective elevator, the Town Hall is currently not wheelchair accessible.

Conclusion: An Evening for New Perspectives

The opening event combines solid research, societal relevance, and personal discussion. Those who wish to better contextualize international developments, understand conditions for peace, and engage in conversation with other interested individuals will experience an informative start to the lecture series "War and Peace" in the Town Hall Festive Hall.