What drives us - the change, the people, the why

Published on April 10, 2025

Looking back, I don’t just see the story of a festival—I see the story of change. It started off quietly, almost without us noticing, when we just decided to organize a Web Monday, a Barcamp, or open the first coworking space. We just thought it’d be cool for a few like-minded folks to get together. Now, we’re at a point where thousands of people come together every year to celebrate the Nürnberg Digital Festival. Over ten days, we dive into tech innovation, digital culture, and, of course, the big changes happening in our society.

I’m Ingo Di Bella, one of the festival’s co-founders. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: change is the only constant. And if you embrace it with curiosity, technology stops being something scary—it becomes a chance to build better connections between us.

From a small Barcamp to a major festival: We’re here to celebrate change, not fear it.

We’re living in a time where everything moves faster than ever. New tech—AI, AR, blockchain—shows up before we’ve even wrapped our heads around the last big buzzword. Sure, that can be overwhelming. But it also opens up a world of possibilities—and that’s the mindset behind our festival. We don’t just want to keep up with change—we want to dive into it, shape it together, and ask the tough questions when we need to.

When we talk about “change,” we’re not just talking about software updates or hot trends. Digitalization is reshaping how we work, what skills we need, and how we live day to day. But when we come together, share what we know, and support one another, tech becomes a force for good. That’s exactly what the Nürnberg Digital Festival is all about.

Tech topics for everyone: As diverse as our city

From our first web app experiments to today’s complex IT systems, our festival lineup grows straight from the ideas and input of our community. That’s why every year brings a colorful mix of exciting—and sometimes controversial—topics:

AI in daily work life – How is it changing things in companies and schools?
Blockchain and eco-friendly crypto – What are the opportunities and the risks, especially when it comes to energy and fairness?
Open data and smart cities – How can a city become a platform for everyone? And what responsibilities does local government have?
New Work and future-ready skills – How do we stay adaptable and tech-savvy as a society?

Ten years ago, this was all considered “web stuff” or for “nerds.” Now, it touches every industry and job. The Nürnberg Digital Festival makes it clear: digitalization isn’t niche anymore—it’s for everyone. Whether you’re deep into tech or just starting to explore it, you’ll definitely find something here that sparks your interest.

A Community at the Heart: The Real People Behind the Festival

The only reason we’re able to pull off such a diverse festival program every single year? It’s the passion and can-do spirit of the people in and around Nürnberg. Local businesses, universities, cultural orgs, volunteer groups—you name it—they all step up and bring their energy.

The idea here is bottom-up, not top-down. As the organizing team, we see ourselves more like platform builders—we set the stage, but the community brings the show to life. They choose the topics, plan the sessions, share knowledge, and make new connections. The beauty of it all is: anyone can contribute. Whether it's a talk, a hands-on workshop, an art installation, or a panel discussion—there’s space for everyone to get involved.

Seeing Opportunity, Building Bridges

Change often feels out of our hands—or even a little scary. But actually, it’s a chance for us to take the lead and shape what comes next. Whether we’re talking about digital democracy, education, AI, or new ways of working, the festival is all about building bridges between different worlds.

Tech and society are coming closer together—through real conversations about ethics, privacy, and responsibility.
Startups and big companies are teaming up to share ideas and spark innovation.
Policy makers, government agencies, citizen groups, and curious minds from all fields have a space here to openly talk about digital transformation in the public sector.

And here’s the key: critical voices are not just welcome—they’re essential. Embracing change doesn’t mean blindly chasing every trend. It means taking a closer look, finding smart solutions, learning from missteps, and growing together through experience.

Join the Movement

On May 6, this year’s festival program officially goes live! Whether you want to host an event, support us as a sponsor or volunteer, or just come explore and be inspired—now’s the time to jump in! Every event, every idea, every bit of involvement helps grow the festival into a space for inspiration, connection, and real change.

For me, making change part of our DNA means staying open to learning, listening to each other, and thinking beyond our own bubbles. Nürnberg has grown into a real digital hotspot in recent years—and we’re just getting started. Together, we can achieve way more than any of us could alone.

Looking Ahead—Together

When I think about what this festival started as—a small, experimental gathering of people who just wanted to try something new—and what it’s become today, I’m filled with pride and gratitude. We’re a community that sees change as a chance to grow—and we’re always open to fresh ideas. Let’s keep that energy going.

Come join us! Bring your expertise, your drive, your questions, and your ideas. Because digital transformation and social change don’t stop at city limits or industry borders—they impact us all. The more we come together, the better we can shape a future that works for everyone—in Nürnberg and beyond.

I’m already looking forward to the conversations, the debates, and the moments of surprise and inspiration that happen when we look ahead—together. Be a part of it, and let’s keep growing with the challenges and opportunities of this digital age. Change is in our DNA. And we’re ready to celebrate it.

— Ingo
Founder