The digital conference “Republica” recorded a decrease in visitor numbers for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the organizers counted a total of 29,000 visitors over the three festival days, which was one thousand fewer than both the previous year and the year before that.
The scale of the event has fluctuated recently. In 2024, the digital exhibition was completely sold out, reaching 30,000 attendees-an all-time high. For the most recent reporting year, while the attendance figure was maintained, the number of scheduled program points was significantly reduced, dropping from 880 to 650. This year’s program, however, featured over 675 sessions and involved more than 1,200 speakers. Organizers noted that approximately 57 percent of the speakers were female, marking a three percentage point increase compared to last year, though this number was three percentage points lower than 2024.
“Republica” has been held annually in Berlin since 2007. Over time, the conference has expanded to include similarly named branches in Vienna, Düsseldorf, and Los Angeles, which will take place throughout the year. The event consistently addresses topics related to network culture and network politics. At the close of the three-day event, co-founder Markus Beckedahl stated, “It is time that we become digitally sovereign. The paths there are clear; we only have to walk them”.