View onto GPN22 from the first floor. It is dark, the ground floor with the hackcenter can be seen at the bottom. There are beer table sets where people with laptops are sitting. The tables are lit. The center features fairy lights that span the full atrium.

23rd Gulaschprogrammiernacht

EN DE

Hidden Patterns

Entropia e.V. invites you to the 23rd Gulaschprogrammiernacht with the motto „Hidden Patterns“!

19–22 June 2025
HfG and ZKM, Lorenzstraße 15, 76135 Karlsruhe

⚠ IMPORTANT: Please read the section regarding the registration thoroughly, there are changes/news this year. ⚠

TL;DR:

The GPN is a community event where you can get together to, for example, hack, eat goulash or attend lectures. The event is open and community-financed, but please register anyway. The GPN works because you contribute to it as a participant. Be it by helping with various tasks (“trolling”) or by submitting presentations/workshops/meet-ups (click here for the CfP). To finance the GPN, we recommend a donation of €56.

About the GPN

The Gulaschprogrammiernacht (GPN for short) has almost everything a hacker’s heart desires: lectures, workshops, a demo show, colorful lights, art, music, a large hack center, Karlsruhe’s annual supply of mate and tschunk, an epic lounge, a wonderful lawn and of course: goulash!

For four days, there will be hacking, presenting, tinkering and discussing. Everyone is welcome: whether you’ve always been part of the chaos or have no idea what to expect – just come along!

Did you notice the hidden patterns? We didn’t while writing. But: Huge patterns of data often conceal fascinating structures, waiting to be revealed. It is time to decrypt those patterns and decrypt their stories. Our motto this year is “Hidden Patterns”.

Let’s go on a data journey together and dive deep into the hidden patterns. Each recognised pattern could be the key to even deeper connections and the next level of hidden information. We should however always be mindful and respectful of the data we analyse.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets and make the hidden patterns visible? Then let’s get started and rediscover the world behind the hidden patterns – responsibly and with due respect for the information we analyse. With exciting lectures, workshops, exchanges and your projects!

GPN23 Artwork

New here?

Is it your first time at GPN?

Here you can watch lectures, take part in workshops, bring your own project, hack, help out, dance to music and visuals in the lounge, get coffee, mate or tschunk at the bar, eat goulash and other treats, get to know new and reunite with creatures, collect stickers and much more. At https://gulas.ch you will find information on how the event works with links to further wiki pages on various topics. If you register there, you will receive up-to-date information by e-mail before and at the event. We are always happy to welcome new people and try to create an open atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable.

Registration

You might have noticed that it has become increasingly crowded at GPN in recent years. That’s why, after consultation with our hosts, we unfortunately have to limit the number of participants for the event. If you want a guaranteed place to participate in all days of the GPN, you must register in advance. There is a small contingent of free day passes available for those who decide at short notice or are curious to visit on an individual day. These passes can be collected on site. In contrast to the previous GPNs, registration is now mandatory if you don’t want to rely on the availability of day passes.

This only applies to access to the buildings; you can use the outdoor area without registering.

When you register, you can still reserve T-shirts, mugs, etc. as usual. From this year on you can donate during your registration.

Goulash Indulgence Package

We have to limit the number of participants as we are reaching our spatial limits. We don’t want to charge admission, but at the same time we want to ensure that reservations are taken or cancelled in good time – so that every place can be used effectively. Therefore, from this year, registration is linked to the purchase of a Goulash Indulgence Package for €10 and includes a hot main course from our fantastic kitchen crew and a non-alcoholic drink at our bar. Alternatively, you can choose three waffles instead of the hot main course.

The package is intended to motivate you to cancel your registration and make room for someone else if you are unable to attend. If you cancel by 18 June, 23:59 (end of day 0), the package will be fully refunded. So please be fair when registering and only register if you are actually going to attend.

The bundling of the registration with the Goulash Indulgence Package is not an admission fee and is not a replacement for your donations, on which we still depend.

If you would like to participate in the 23rd Gulaschprogrammiernacht but are unable to purchase a Goulash Indulgence Package, please contact friends@gulas.ch. If your submission is accepted in the CfP, your registration is guaranteed.

Day passes

The day passes are for all those who only want to visit the GPN for one day or who spontaneously learn about the GPN. Those travelling from further afield should not rely on day passes being available, as these are intended for interested parties from Karlsruhe.

There is only a limited contingent of day passes. We will provide information on the availability of day passes during the event at https://gulas.ch and in the Fediverse at @gulasch@gulas.ch.

Children and young people

Children and young people aged up to (and including) 16 years can be added to a registration for free.

Opening of registration

The registration will open on Sunday, 27 April at 20:00. On 1 May at 14:00, further places will be made available in a second round. You can also reserve merch outside the registration periods: https://join.gulas.ch/

Unpaid or cancelled registrations will be released, so you might get lucky and be able to register between these dates.

You can find more detailed information on the website and in our FAQ.

Donation

GPN is still funded by donations. A donation is requested from visitors who are able to make one. The recommended donation this year is €56. If you can donate more, you invite someone else to GPN. Thank you for making the event possible with your donation!

Lectures and workshops

We want to offer an interesting workshop and lecture programme at the GPN again – for this we need you and your topics! We are looking forward to lectures on a wide range of topics and a broad workshop programme for all participants.

You can submit your suggestions in Pretalx at https://cfp.gulas.ch/gpn23/ until 31 May. If you know people who you would like to see as speakers at the GPN, get involved and let them know about this call!

Do you make art or a performance with “Hidden Patterns”? Bring it to the GPN on the stages of ZKM & HfG Karlsruhe!

Share your ideas, projects, research, art or other interesting topics in a talk or workshop during the GPN.

We especially want to encourage people who are new to the stage to participate. Not sure if your topic fits the GPN? Just give it a try or contact us! Get in touch with the content team via the Fediverse (@content@gulas.ch) or by e-mail (content@gulas.ch).

The lectures are usually recorded and put online at media.ccc.de, an opt-out is possible at any time.

Art and creativity

You can create art and beauty with a computer.
— Hacker ethic

The GPN is hosted at the ZKM (Center for Art and Media) and the HfG (Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design) – a perfect place to combine art and hacking!

Would you like to get creative at the GPN and embellish the event or exhibit your art project? Just bring smaller projects with you! Anything that does not fit on a small table, needs to be hung up or has special requirements (electricity, internet, etc.)? We will be happy to work with you to make it possible. Contact us at art@gulas.ch!

Trolling

The GPN, like all other Chaos events, only works thanks to the active commitment of many helpers who keep everything running, from the infodesk to the kitchen to the livestreams. If you want to troll us – that is what we call helping around here – you can now register in the troll system. The troll cave is also the place to go for those of you who are in the habit of seeking heaven. The most active trolls will of course receive a GPN23-themed goodie and the opportunity to register early for the next GPN. Please don’t forget to tick the appropriate box in the troll system. No special previous knowledge is required; if necessary, there will be an introduction to the respective task or a talk to introduce you to trolling.

Mini-FAQ

  • “How much does a ticket cost?” – There are no tickets in the traditional sense. If you register for the GPN in advance, it will cost you €10. In return, you will receive the Goulash Indulgence Package (a warm main course or three waffles from our waffle crew and a non-alcoholic cold drink – exactly what you need for a successful GPN). If you are unable to purchase the registration pack, please contact friends@gulas.ch and we will find a solution. We are still dependent on your donations, we cannot finance the GPN with the registration package. The recommended donation is €56. It is possible to donate during the registration process.
  • “Why register now with a Goulash Indulgence Package?” – The last GPNs have shown us that it is necessary to limit the number of participants. Together with our hosts, we have therefore decided to limit the number of participants more so that the GPN remains a cosy experience for everyone. To prevent individuals from claiming the entire contingent of registrations for themselves, registration is linked to the Goulash Indulgence Package. We will continue to do without a classic admission ticket.
  • “What happens if I can’t come after all?” – It would be sad if you can’t come to the GPN. You can to cancel your registration. The money for the Goulash Indulgence Package will be refunded if you cancel your registration before the event and your registration will be available to others again.
  • “But I only want to go to the GPN on Saturday!” – Day passes are available on site. You can find out about the availability of day passes on the homepage at https://gulas.ch.
  • “What are trolls?” – That’s what we call our helpers, comparable to the angels at other chaos events. Come by and troll us!
  • “How do I stay informed?” – Check out https://gulas.ch, follow us in the Fediverse and sign up – we’ll also send you the most important information by e-mail!
  • “I have other questions!” – Then see our detailed FAQ first and if you can’t find an answer there, write us an e-mail.

Social Media & Contact

Do you have any questions? You can reach us via the following channels, for example:

Figure: CC BY-SA 2.0, Leah Oswald