Sep 01, 2026
TUD joined the Banquet for Everyone: Thousands of People celebrate 10 years of Dresden is(s)t bunt
A celebration of culinary diversity and togetherness: Under bright sunshine at Dresden’s Neumarkt, TUD Dresden University of Technolgy participated in the 10th Dresden is(s)t bunt Banquet for Everyone on August 31, 2026, by numerous institutes and service providers. Thousands of people joined the event at the picnic table — several hundred meters long — right in the heart of the city. International cuisine, music, artistic performances, and a variety of hands-on activities provided opportunities for genuine exchanges and new perspectives.
“For over ten years, the Banquet has stood for cosmopolitanism, a welcoming culture, a richness of perspectives, and the value of diversity for our democratic society. These values are an indispensable cornerstone for Dresden as a hub for science, business, and innovation. A global outlook is crucial both for international companies, such as those based in Silicon Saxony, and for recruiting outstanding scientists from around the world,” said Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger, Rector of TUD Dresden University of Technology.
TUD was once again represented at the Banquet by numerous institutes such as:
- Directorate University Culture
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB)
- International Office
- Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy (MIDEM)
- DRESDEN-concept Welcome Center at TU Dresden
The Henry Arnhold Dresden Summer School, Dresden International University, and TUDIAS Preparatory College were also present.
In the photo from left to right: Anne-Kathrin Schladitz (Chief of Staff GlobalFoundries), Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger (Rector of TU Dresden), Dr. Eva Sturm (Executive Board of Cellex Foundation), Prof. Gerhard Ehninger (Board of Trustees Cellex Foundation), Maria Noth (Managing Director of the Frauenkirche Foundation Dresden) and Ulrike Leßmann (Artistic Director tjg. theater junge generation).
“The international visibility and prestige of TUD as a University of Excellence reinforces Dresden’s appeal: In addition to providing a large pool of skilled professionals, the 6,000 international students and 1,700 international PhD candidates at TUD constitute an economic asset for Dresden and the surrounding region. In addition, about a quarter of TUD's 5,500 research staff have an international background. They actively engage with Dresden's local amenities and businesses, collectively enhancing the city's vibrant culture, notably its diverse food scene. ” TUD Rector Staudinger continues. Anyone working against this by means of exclusion, isolation and even racism not only jeopardizes our societal values, but also our city’s appeal, innovative strength, and prosperity.
Background: Banquet for everyone “Dresden is(s)t bunt”
In 2015, Dresden's political climate was dominated by the far-right, anti-immigrant Pegida protests, numerous xenophobic attacks, and a growing social divide within the city.
The first ever “Dresden is(s)t bunt” Banquet for Everyone was conceived during this time in an effort to counteract these tensions. The antidote to working against each other was already there. As in all major European cities, Dresden is home to people from a variety of different cultures.
The “Dresden is(s)t bunt” Banquet for Everyone takes a visible stance against polarization, exclusions, and the reduction of complex problems to simplistic stereotypes. The Banquet showcases the pluralism and diversity of our city. A community table brings together members of civil society, science and research, cultural institutions, religious communities, and the business community with a view to encouraging shared responsibility and collaboration.
More information: https://www.cellex-stiftung.org/en/our-projects/banquet/a-banquet-for-everyone
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