From the Dalai Lama to the Scandinavian wilderness: Nine lectures from October 30 to November 1
The Weitsicht Festival 2026 invites you to the darmstadtium in Darmstadt from October 30th to November 1st. Photographers, authors, and adventurers will share their travel stories, personal encounters, and insights into the natural world right on their doorstep. The festival opens with Manuel Bauer's presentation, "90 Years of the Dalai Lama – 35 Years of Photography.".
The photographer has accompanied the Dalai Lama for decades. His pictures capture personal moments in the life of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and offer insights into the history of Tibet. According to the organizers, the opening lecture on Friday at 7:30 p.m. is already sold out. Five festival passes, which also include Friday evening, were recently available.
Weitsicht Festival 2026: Adventures and personal encounters
On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Tamar Valkenier will open the program with "The Full-Time Adventurer." The Dutchwoman left her career as a Michelin-starred chef and police psychologist at the age of 28 and has since traveled to more than 60 countries.
At 2 p.m., nature photographer and forester Klaus Echle presents "Wilderness on Your Doorstep II," revealing the often hidden lives of native animals. At 5 p.m., Lotta Lubkoll recounts her hikes through Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania with her donkey Jonny and her partner Stefan in "3 Donkeys in the Balkans.".
Lutz Jäkel concludes Saturday at 8 p.m. with "The New Syria." The photographer and Middle East expert reports on people who have stayed or returned, and their experiences of loss, uncertainty, and new beginnings.
From Brittany to the “miracle of Earth”
On Sunday at 10 a.m., Hartmut Krinitz will take the audience on a journey to Brittany. His photographs depict coastlines, lighthouses, and life by the sea. At 1 p.m., Jolanda Linschooten will present "Scandinavia," recounting canoe trips through Lapland and Finland, as well as a journey through the winter landscape of northern Norway.
Gereon Roemer and Martin Buschmann take the audience on a road trip at 4 p.m. in "Italy – Luigi Must Go Home". Their travelogue includes not only landscapes, history, and cuisine, but also breakdowns and unexpected encounters.
The finale, "Wonder of the Earth," will be presented by geoscientist and landscape photographer Christian Klepp at 7 p.m. He combines his landscape photographs with insights into the workings of our planet.
Further information
The event will take place at the darmstadtium, Schlossgraben 1 in Darmstadt. According to the organizers, tickets are still available for the lectures on Saturday and Sunday. Single tickets, day tickets, and festival passes are offered. The program and tickets can be found at Frankfurt Ticket RheinMain .
More information: www.weitsicht-darmstadt.de/
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/Jens Steingässer)
Featured image: Manuel Bauer and the Dalai Lama. Photo: Manuel Bauer
