re:publica 26 is Europe's largest festival for the digital society, scheduled to take place from May 18 to 20, 2026, at STATION Berlin. Organized by republica GmbH, this annual event brings together a diverse array of participants, including professionals from economics, politics, business, hacker culture, NGOs, media, and marketing, as well as bloggers, activists, artists, and social media experts.
The 2026 edition, themed "Never Gonna Give You Up," aims to address pressing issues in the digital realm, such as algorithmic influence on public opinion, platform politics, the commodification of attention, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping reality. The event will feature a variety of sessions, including keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and artistic interventions, all designed to foster critical discourse and innovative thinking.
Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities with thought leaders and peers, an expo hall showcasing cutting-edge technologies and projects, and presentations by notable speakers like Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google. The festival's inclusive and participatory format encourages active engagement from all participants.
re:publica 26 is ideal for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and society, including professionals, academics, activists, and creatives. It offers a unique platform to explore current digital trends, share knowledge, and collaborate on shaping the future of the digital society.
Speakers(50)
Andreas Gebhard
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at re:publica
Andreas Gebhard is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of re:publica.
Anna Süß
Community Lead at CORRECTIV.Faktenforum
Anna Süß is the community lead at CORRECTIV.Faktenforum.
Arne Semsrott
Political Scientist and Journalist
Arne Semsrott discusses how civil society can shift from a defensive to an offensive stance.
Baro Vicenta Ra Gabbert
Author, Lawyer, and Speaker for Socio-Ecological Justice at Greenpeace e. V.
Baro Vicenta Ra Gabbert is an author, lawyer, and speaker for socio-ecological justice at Greenpeace e. V.
Carolin Amlinger
Sociologist
Carolin Amlinger will provide insights into why many people want to see the world go up in flames and offer hope.
Charlotte Kunath
Sexual Educator
Charlotte Kunath is a sexual educator.
Charlotte Lohmann
Educational Consultant for Media Competence and Digital Democracy at mxr storytelling
Charlotte Lohmann is an educational consultant for media competence and digital democracy at mxr storytelling.
Cory Doctorow
Science Fiction Novelist, Journalist, and Technology Activist
Cory Doctorow shows how the internet has been 'enshittified' and what can be done about it.
Daniel Marwecki
Author and Lecturer
Daniel Marwecki discusses the end of the West's dominance and what lies ahead as the world reorganizes itself.
Dennis Horn
Deputy Program Director 1LIVE at WDR
Dennis Horn is the Deputy Program Director at 1LIVE, WDR.
Dennis Kogel
Host and Author at Browser History
Dennis Kogel is a host and author at Browser History.
Dirk Schrödter
Minister for Digitalization and Media Policy at State of Schleswig-Holstein
Dirk Schrödter is the Minister for Digitalization and Media Policy in Schleswig-Holstein, leading the state's transition to open-source technologies.
Dirk von Gehlen
Journalist and Author | Director Think Tank SZ-Institut
Dirk von Gehlen is a journalist and author, serving as the Director of the Think Tank at SZ-Institut.
Eda Öztürk
Journalist at MIKRASS | Migra-Kollektiv für Journalismus und Social Media
Eda Öztürk is a journalist at MIKRASS | Migra-Kollektiv für Journalismus und Social Media.
Fabian Grischkat
Fatima Njoya
Freelance Journalist, Moderator & Creative
Fatima Njoya is a freelance journalist, moderator, and creative.
Frauke Fischer
Agentur auf!
Gabriel Yoran
Author and Entrepreneur
Gabriel Yoran warns of a future in which things are worse than they need to be and discusses how we can escape this 'cluttering of the world'.
Gavin Karlmeier
Social Media Expert & Podcaster
Gavin Karlmeier is a social media expert and podcaster, known for 'Haken dran – das Social-Media-Update'.
Gilda Sahebi
Journalist, Author and Physician
Gilda Sahebi is a journalist, author, and physician discussing division as a tool of power and presenting counterstrategies.
Hamed Shahi
Organizer at New Fall Festival
Hamed Shahi is an organizer at the New Fall Festival.
Hannah Beckschulte
Club Zukunft Düsseldorf
Ingrid Brodnig
Author and Journalist
Ingrid Brodnig is an author and journalist highlighting issues of digital misogyny and advocating against online violence.
Josephine B. Schmitt
Scientific Coordinator & Researcher at CAIS
Josephine B. Schmitt is a scientific coordinator and researcher at CAIS.
Judith Winterhager
Curator, Digital Communication at NRW Forum Düsseldorf
Judith Winterhager is a curator specializing in digital communication at NRW Forum Düsseldorf.
Karine Gromada
Head of Product & Digital Solutions at DASHDOCK
Karine Gromada is the Head of Product & Digital Solutions at DASHDOCK.
Kent Walker
President, Global Affairs at Google
Kent Walker is the President of Global Affairs at Google and Alphabet, overseeing legal matters, government affairs, content policy, and philanthropy. With nearly 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology, law, and policy, he has led Google's advocacy on competition, content, copyright, and privacy since joining in 2006.
Lea Kropff
Platform Lead Instagram at 1LIVE
Lea Kropff is the Platform Lead for Instagram at 1LIVE.
Leonie Plaar
Magdalena Pulz
Freelance Journalist
Magdalena Pulz is a freelance journalist.
Maren Urner
Neuroscientist
Maren Urner shows why our brains never give up and what we can do to counteract the race towards destruction.
Maria Popov
Moderator, Journalist & Author
Maria Popov is a moderator, journalist, and author, known for her book 'Kein Bock Club'.
Markus Beckedahl
Co-Founder & Head of Curation at re:publica
Markus Beckedahl is the Co-Founder and Head of Curation at re:publica, as well as the Founder of Digitalrechte at the Zentrum für Digitalrechte und Demokratie.
Martin Andree
Lecturer in Media Studies at University of Cologne
Martin Andree is a lecturer in media studies at the University of Cologne.
Matthias Quent
Sociologist, Democracy Researcher and Author
Matthias Quent is a sociologist, democracy researcher, and author focusing on overcoming crises and resisting fascism.
Mazda Adli
Psychiatrist and Stress Researcher
Mazda Adli is a psychiatrist and stress researcher discussing how urban environments affect mental health.
Mona Neubaur
Minister at Ministry for Economy, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of NRW
Mona Neubaur is a minister at the Ministry for Economy, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of NRW.
Nathanael Liminski
Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery at State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia
Nathanael Liminski is the Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery.
Nora Hespers
Freelance Journalist, Podcaster, Author
Nora Hespers is a freelance journalist, podcaster, and author.
Oliver Nachtwey
Sociologist
Oliver Nachtwey will provide insights into why many people want to see the world go up in flames and offer hope.
Quinn Slobodian
Historian
Quinn Slobodian is a historian analyzing how figures like Elon Musk use data without consent to secure legitimacy.
Richard Gutjahr
Journalist and Blogger at G! blog
Richard Gutjahr is a journalist and blogger at G! blog.
Rike van Kleef
Author, Journalist & Cultural Worker
Rike van Kleef is an author, journalist, and cultural worker.
Sally Lisa Starken
Journalist and Author
Sally Lisa Starken is a journalist and author addressing the rise of far-right movements and the importance of defending democracy.
Simon Meier-Vieracker
Linguist
Simon Meier-Vieracker explores how platforms like TikTok influence the public sphere and the implications of adapting to platform aesthetics.
Siri Hummel
Political Scientist and Communications Scholar
Siri Hummel is a political scientist and communications scholar examining the increasing dangers faced by civil society organizations.
Thomas Jarzombek
Parliamentary State Secretary at Federal Minister for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS)
Thomas Jarzombek is the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Minister for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS).
Thomas Knüwer
Founder and Managing Director at kpunktnull
Thomas Knüwer is the Founder and Managing Director of kpunktnull.
Una Titz
Monitoring Consultant at Amadeu Antonio Stiftung
Una Titz is a monitoring consultant at the Amadeu Antonio Stiftung.
Urvashi Aneja
Writer, Researcher, and Activist
Urvashi Aneja will speak about how advanced digital technologies are reshaping politics and society in India and the lessons this holds for the rest of the world.
Event Details
- Date
- May 18-20, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany
- STATION Berlin
- Pricing
- €239 - €1,199
- Audience
- Professionals, academics, activists, creatives interested in digital society
- Attendees
- Over 30,000 visits during the three conference days in 2025