HELLERAU has always been a place of new beginnings—a space for new ideas, for exchange, and for collaborative thinking. Building Bridges builds on this tradition: On September 9 and 10, 2026, the Festspielhaus will once again become a meeting place for people who want to shape the future.

The conference will focus on energy—both as a technological challenge and as a societal task. Discussions will focus on pathways to sustainable and resilient energy systems, ranging from hydrogen and fusion research to innovative storage solutions. At the same time, the conference will address the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of these developments. For the transformation of energy supply is more than a technical shift—it also reshapes how we live together and how we view the future.

Building Bridges serves as a platform for dialogue and networking across disciplines and borders. Perspectives from academia, business, politics, and society come together to share knowledge and develop new ideas. International guests engage with regional initiatives, and seasoned experts connect with emerging voices.

Discussions, short presentations, and open-format sessions create spaces where current research, practical experience, and visionary approaches come to the fore. It is this convergence of knowledge and experience that gives rise to new connections—and often unexpected perspectives as well.

In the unique atmosphere of HELLERAU, the conference becomes an open space for thought, bridging experience and experimentation, reflection and collaboration. A place where the future is not merely discussed, but jointly shaped: through dialogue, across borders, and with an eye toward what lies ahead. 

Attendance at the conference is free of charge. 
You can register here.

Funding

A conference organised by the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf. Funded by the Free State of Saxony.