The Association
The non-profit Greifswald International Students Festival e.V. — “gristuf” for short — aims to enrich life in Greifswald and beyond through themed and cultural events.
In addition to the ever-popular “Running Dinner,” we have been organizing the “Fête de la Musique” in Greifswald at the beginning of summer on June 21 for almost 20 years, as well as other small events such as readings, concerts, and film screenings. Our biggest project is the biennial “Greifswald International Students Festival,” which gives our association its name.
With our association, we also want to create spaces for culture and new ideas. That's why we are always open to new projects and support creative minds. Come by and contribute your ideas!
Our Events
The "GrIStuF"
The Greifswald International Students Festival, which now takes place every two years, is one of only two international student festivals in Germany and also the association's most important project. It provides a colorful setting for people from different nations, cultures, and religions to meet and get to know each other. Participants engage with the festival's theme in workshops, lectures, and discussions, among other activities. Of course, we also offer international guests and Greifswald residents a variety of evening events where they can get to know each other and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.
Nine Greifswald International Student Festivals have taken place so far:
- 2002: Our World - Our Choice, patron: Harald Ringstorff
- 2005: Touch the World, patron: Hildegard Hamm-Brücher
- 2006: U-Rope, patron: Gesine Schwan
- 2008: Mind a change, patron: Jakob von Uexküll
- 2010: Response ability - Responsibility, patron: Bärbel Bohley
- 2012: Face to Face - paving the way for a non-violent society, no patron
- 2014: Lost in Consumption - Rethinking Economy, no patron
- 2016: Sea: the Future - Discovering the Ocean Current, no patron
- 2018: Beyond Borders - Where are Your Limits, patron: Manuela Schwesig
As an alternative during the pandemic years, we launched “GrIStuF Solidarisch” in 2022. During a week packed with cultural events, we collected donations for organizations that support refugees.
Unfortunately, the pandemic and the changed political situation have left a strong mark on volunteer work, which is why we have not been able to organize a festival since 2022. Since this summer, we have been working on a Greifswald International Students Festival 2026.
Fête de la Musique
Since 2007, we in Greifswald have also been welcoming summer with the Fête de la Musique. This worldwide celebration of music always takes place on the longest day of the year, June 21, under the motto “free and outdoors.”
In cooperation with other initiatives and individuals, we put together a colorful program that caters to all age groups and tastes. Not only advanced artists have the opportunity to perform, but also amateur performers. So if you want to be part of the Fête de la Musique, just contact us at info@fete-greifswald.de!
You can find more information about the Fête de la Musique here.
Running Dinner
In addition to all its cultural activities, gristuf e.V. organizes what is probably the most interactive culinary event in the city: the Running Dinner.
This popular three-course meal involves small teams cooking in the participants' kitchens and dining in changing combinations. It's a simple way to enjoy delicious food, show off your cooking skills, and meet lots of new people at the same time.
More information about the event is available here.
CinemaOnSails
Since 2023, we have been one of the organizers of KinoAufSegeln (CinemaOnSails) at the museum harbor. At KinoAufSegeln, films are projected directly onto a sail at sunset—a unique and magical cinema experience right at the Greifswald museum harbor. The film program includes classics, cult films, and contemporary cinema that is largely ignored by the mainstream.
You can find more information and the film program here.
Further Events
In addition to our well-known regular events, we also organize living room concerts, film screenings, and exhibitions.
Ultimately, we organize everything that our association members are enthusiastic about. So if you have an idea that you think would enrich cultural life in Greifswald, just drop by: every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in our living room (STRAZE – Stralsunder Str. 10).