The GrIStuF - Greifswald International Students Festival

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.