Fidena 2026: An afternoon full of figure magic in Bochum


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Fidena Festival: Gorjeio – Puppet theater in public space, in the heart of Bochum
With Gorjeio, the Fidena Festival brings a piece of contemporary puppet theater art directly to the Jobsiade Fountain at Husemannplatz on May 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM. The international festival is one of the oldest theater festivals in Germany and has been shaping Bochum since 1958 with extraordinary productions, public space, and a distinctive festival atmosphere. ([bochum-tourismus.de](https://www.bochum-tourismus.de/bochum-entdecken/festivals-und-events/das-festival-fidena-figurentheater-der-nationen.html))
A festival with history and an attitude
FIDENA is not an ordinary cultural event but a developed festival with a profile: since 1958, it has gathered outstanding productions of international puppet theater in Bochum and the region. Bochum Tourism describes the festival as youthful, in tune with the times, and rebellious; the festival website also refers to well over 1,000 performances from more than 50 countries. In 2026, the festival will start under new leadership and with a newly established citizens' jury that co-decided parts of the program. ([bochum-tourismus.de](https://www.bochum-tourismus.de/bochum-entdecken/festivals-und-events/das-festival-fidena-figurentheater-der-nationen.html))
Gorjeio in the heart of the city
The performance at Husemannplatz brings the festival activity to where Bochum feels most vibrant: in public space. The Jobsiade Fountain is a prominent meeting point in the city center and anchors the performance in a location with urban symbolic power. This is exactly where what makes FIDENA special unfolds: approachable art that captivates passersby, stirs curiosity, and makes theater a tangible shared experience. ([bochum.de](https://www.bochum.de/Pressemeldungen/7-Februar-2023/Neugestaltung-des-Husemannplatzes-hat-begonnen?utm_source=openai))
Multi-day experience instead of a single date
The Fidena Festival runs from May 13 to 20, 2026 and transforms Bochum into a stage for puppet theater, performances, and artistic encounters for several days. Bochum Tourism emphasizes that tickets are available through the tourist information office and that the festival is firmly anchored in the city. This creates an intense cultural weekend or a complete festival visit with an urban exploratory feeling, open-air acoustics, and a real sense of community for visitors. ([bochum-tourismus.de](https://www.bochum-tourismus.de/bochum-entdecken/festivals-und-events/das-festival-fidena-figurentheater-der-nationen.html))
What visitors can expect
Those who come to Gorjeio will experience the special blend of artistic precision and street space poetry. FIDENA has been focusing on productions that seek intersections between visual art, performing arts, movement, space, and music for years. The festival profile consciously speaks of productions that surprise, irritate, and simultaneously touch. This is exactly what creates the allure: a cultural event that doesn't remain distant but impacts the audience directly. ([fidena.de](https://www.fidena.de/programm/fidena/geschichte/mn_46121?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
Fidena Festival: Gorjeio is an appointment for all those looking for festival culture beyond classical concerts. Here, tradition, innovation, and the magic of public space intersect. Anyone who wants to experience puppet theater with an urban atmosphere, artistic curiosity, and Bochum city center flair should mark this afternoon and attend the festival live. ([bochum-tourismus.de](https://www.bochum-tourismus.de/bochum-entdecken/festivals-und-events/das-festival-fidena-figurentheater-der-nationen.html))
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