Written on 01 April 2019.

47th IVU World Vegfest

23-25 August 2019, Berlin, Germany

Willkommen! Welcome! Bienvenido! Bienvenue! Bem-vindo!

We are pleased to invite you to the 47th IVU World Vegfest! This year the Vegfest will take place between the 23rd and 27th of August 2019 in Berlin, the vegan capital of Europe, in association with the Vegan Summerfest.

After 87 years (yes, we have history!) we are getting back to Berlin, where IVU had its 8th World Vegetarian Congress in 1936! (now Vegfest). Actually IVU was founded in Germany, in 1908, in Dresden, where we celebrated our centenary in 2008! As far as we know before IVU there were only a few International Vegetarian gatherings: the first one in Cologne, in 1889, the same year when it was launched the Vegetarian Federal Union (the forerunner to IVU). In 1960 IVU went again to Germany, Hannover and Hamburg and in 1982 (Neu-Ulm). So it is more than time to go back to Germany.

The Vegan Summerfest is the world’s largest vegetarian event and truly transforms the famous Alexanderplatz into a vegan oasis. There will be thought-provoking speakers from all over the world, inspirational cooking shows, live music and stage performances, and engaging workshops. Further highlights include a fashion show featuring sustainable vegan fashion trends, a raffle with attractive veggie prizes, an entertaining children’s program and more. Hundreds of food stands will offer a wide selection of the newest inventions in delicious vegan foods.

As a new addition this year, an IVU World Vegfest Networking Tent will be provided at the Vegan Summerfest to connect visitors and members of veg* organizations to listen to inspiring talks and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. You are very welcome to attend each day of the Summerfest starting Friday 12 pm and ending Sunday evening. More information about the programme will follow soon.

Just before the start of the Summerfest, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a two-day training by the Center for Effective Vegan Advocacy (CEVA). Run by Dr. Melanie Joy, Harvard-educated psychologist and celebrated speaker, and Tobias Leenaert, longtime speaker and strategist, you will get useful tools and tips on how to improve the efficiency of your advocacy actions. Here you can learn more about the training and how to book your spot.

To end the IVU World Vegfest on a high note, an optional cultural tour will be organised by our team on 26-27 August.Day trips can be booked and paid for in advance to ensure you won’t miss out on the exciting cultural and culinary highlights in Berlin. Join us as we cruise along the Spree in a boat, as we stroll over a market, discover lots of great vegan food and much more. Check out the full programme and book your spot here.

Airport transfer

From Tegel International airport to the Alexanderplatz we recommend travellers to take the TXL bus, The buses departures right outside Terminals A and B, usually 6 minutes apart from each other. If you gonna stay in Berlin for at least 7 days, we recommend you to buy the 7 day tickets that costs € 30,00, it will give you access to all public transportation inside the AB zone of Berlin, more about the public transportation fees in Berlin click here.

Tickets Machines:

Tickets can be purchased at multilingual ticket machines on the platforms of S-and U-Bahn stations. In buses, fares are paid to the bus driver, in trams at machines inside the trains. In larger stations the S-Bahn and BVG provide ticket counters.

Validation of Tickets:

Before the journey starts tickets must be validated by stamping them at the yellow or red boxes on the platforms, in buses or trams. In case of inspection, a ticket that is not stamped is invalid.

Fare Evasion in Berlin

Anyone caught in public transportion without a valid ticket must pay a higher fare of 60 Euros. Even people who forgot to stamp their ticket must pay the fine. Note: Ticket inspectors are dressed in plain clothes and will not make any exceptions for tourists. Those who get caught have to show an ID, otherwise the police will be called.

TXL JetExpressBus

S+U Alexanderplatz – S+U Hauptbahnhof – S Beusselstraße – Flughafen Tegel

|>> Download Route Network Berlin [pdf, 212 KB]

Getting back to the Tegel Airport

It is a bit more difficult to get back to Tegel Airport from Alexanderplatz than the other way around. BUT public transport in Berlin is really easy. You´ll find everything in english and there are a lot of signs everywhere. What you do when you are starting at Alexanderplatz is taking the S3 or S5 or S7 to Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof in german). When you arrive there you follow the BUS signs (ground floor) and walk outside to the bus stations. There you take the TXL and drive straight to the airport.