New Year's reception at Bielefeld University
New Year's reception on 23 January 2026
Talking. Listening. Understanding. The future needs dialogue
This is the motto of this year's New Year's Reception on Friday, 23 January 2026, at 6 p.m. s.t. in the Audimax (main building).
The event will focus on a discussion with historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk and politician Bodo Ramelow about their experiences with dialogue, contradiction and understanding. Further information on the programme and schedule can be found here.
Register now:
Please register by 9 January 2026 using the following form:
Programme details
The event in the Audimax begins at 6 pm s.t. - admission is from 5.30 pm.
Programme
- Welcome and speech by the Rector Prof. Dr. Angelika Epple
- Presentation of the Jörg Schwarzbich Inventor Award
- Discussion with Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk and Bodo Ramelow
- Moderation: Eva Schmidt
- Music: Detmold University of Music
Afterwards, all guests are invited to a reception in the foyer.
Information for photo shoots
Photographs will be taken during this event for the purpose of documenting the event.
The photographs will show and reproduce individual staff, people or groups of people who are not in the foreground. These photographs will be taken on the basis of legal authorisation. You have the right to object to the production and use of the photographs.
For recordings in which staff, people are in the foreground, we will obtain your (verbal) consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time without giving reasons.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please contact the photographer first. If you would also like to object to the processing of the photographs or withdraw your consent, please contact the event management team (veranstaltungsmanagement@uni-bielefeld.de).
The detailed data protection information is available here.
Review 2025
On 17 January, Rector Prof. Dr Angelika Epple held her New Year's reception in the Audimax.
Meron Mendel and Saba-Nur Cheema gave the keynote speech this year.
Impressions of the event can be found here.
