Exhibitions
On the Path to Modern Democracy – The German Freedom Movements from the French Revolution to the Mid-19th Century (2)
The road to modern democracy is one of the most extraordinary chapters in our history. The early German Freedom Movements from the French Revolution to the mid-19th century offer exciting insights into our democratic traditions.
The travelling exhibition takes us on a journey to the early days of democracy. A total of 16 panels describe the commitment to fundamental and human rights, democratisation and political participation, as well as integration and equality. In the process, it is not just important beacons of democratic history that we encounter – such as the French Revolution in 1789 and the Hambach Festival in 1832. Other lesser-known chapters, such as the early republics of the 1790s and the first precursors of political parties are introduced.
The exhibition reviews the developments of this period from a political, social and societal perspective. It also addresses the contradictions in this early history of democracy, which, in some cases, differed significantly from our current democratic value system.
Gesellschaft zur Erforschung der Demokratie-Geschichte e. V.
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Römer foyer, curator guided tour at 1:00 pm
Revolutionary Women and their Contribution to the History of Democracy (34)
The “Frauenreferat” (Women’s Department) (33), together with the Frankfurt Historical Museum and a large number of cooperation partners, presents 48 revolutionary women in the “Kaisersaal”. The kings and emperors in the “Festsaal” (Festival Hall) of the “Römer” fade into the background. Instead, portraits, quotations or symbols of historically significant revolutionaries are displayed on long lengths of fabric: Impressive and encouraging.
Their importance for democratic movements, their commitment to liberal ideals and their stories are almost unknown. They were workers and citizens, journalists, cultural workers, networkers, feminists or fighters. Among them were eight Frankfurt women, such as Clotilde Koch-Gontard and Henriette Zobel. They are united by the rebellion against social inequalities.
The selection of revolutionaries shows the variety of fields of action and forms of protest that came to define their work. It becomes clear at which points women have had a decisive influence on the history of democracy, both locally and globally. It shows the continuity and topicality of its themes in relation to participation, co-determination and self-determination.
Exhibition Revolutionary Women
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Kaisersaal
“Escape Bubbles – Abenteuer in der Filterblase” – Interactive Exhibition of an Escape Game (35)
In 2035, democracy has been abolished. Could we have prevented this 6 years earlier? In the Escape Game installation, players embark on a tricky journey through time to face this question. To do this, they have to solve various puzzles and tasks in two linked rooms that are modelled on filter bubbles, and in doing so, they have to deal with topics related to democracy and social polarisation. In the first room, they are immersed in the year 2035, when democracy has been suspended and a group of researchers is trying to reconstruct how this could have happened. In the second “bubble”, activists are planning a demonstration in 2029 against the gradual abolition of fundamental rights. The players must spread out over both rooms and communicate with each other to solve the puzzles and save democracy.
The “Forschungsinstitut Gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt“ (“Research Institute for Social Cohesion”) in cooperation with students and researchers at the “Goethe Universität Frankfurt” (“Goethe University Frankfurt”).
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Limpurgsaal
Performative text project: “1848 – Voices of Frankfurt Women”
The multimedia project by Frankfurt artists Ricarda Klingelhöfer, Sabine Loew and Cornelia Falkenhan on the position of well-known Frankfurt women such as Henriette Zobel, Clotilde Koch, Louise Otto-Peters, Anna Margaretha, and Anna Maria Stoltze and Hedwig Dohm facilitates an in-depth look at these important women before, during and behind the revolution.
6:00 pm, Kaisersaal
Guided tours
Get to know the special nooks and crannies of the venerable town hall together with professional guides, and look forward to exciting insights into the City’s eventful history. Take the chance to participate in one of the many free guided tours.
Free tickets for the guided tours are available in the foyer on the ground floor of the “Römer”.
Guided tours in German
three times an hour between 11:15 am – 6:00 pm
English-language tours
at 11:45 am, 1:45 pm and 3:45 pm
Programme
KoDeX Römer – Kommunale Demokratie Explainer (52)
“How does City Hall work?” Local politics is closest to the citizens. And yet many people know very little about local democracy and the local political system, how the “Rathaus” (City Hall) works, but also little about the possibilities of participation as a citizen in their own municipality. To a large extent, it is due to the confusion of designations (who are the councillors, aldermen, advisory councils, etc.?) and a near-inscrutable electoral system (what is and how does “Accumulation & Panacharge” work?). On the other hand, there is hardly any local political education in schools. If you want to know “how City Hall works” and how you can get involved, we look forward to your visit to KoDeX, the learning place for local politics.
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Wanebachhöfchen
A look behind the scenes
The “Standesamt” (Registry Office) offers a glimpse into the room where hundreds of couples get married every year. Visit the “Trausaal” (Wedding Hall) (30) on the first floor.
Take a look inside the office of the new city leader (32). „Questions to our Municipal Administration“ and also to the Lord Mayor Mike Josef himself can be asked at an event of Volkshochschule Frankfurt at the Stadthaus. Please note that the event takes place at the Stadthaus. You can get further information here: Speed-Dating VHS.
The Golden Book (45)
Weighing 20 kilograms, half a metre in length, 38 centimetres wide – the “Golden Book” of the City of Frankfurt is a real eye-catcher, in which many personalities from politics, business, culture, church and sport from all over the world have inscribed their names to date. The “Golden Book” is on display in the Ludwig-Landmann-Saal, where the magistrate meets. You can learn exciting stories about the Golden Book during a short guided tour on site.
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Ludwig-Landmann-Saal, short tour: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (always on the hour)
Performative text project: “1848 – Voices of Frankfurt Women”
The multimedia project by Frankfurt artists Ricarda Klingelhöfer, Sabine Loew and Cornelia Falkenhan on the position of well-known Frankfurt women such as Henriette Zobel, Clotilde Koch, Louise Otto-Peters, Anna Margaretha, and Anna Maria Stoltze and Hedwig Dohm facilitates an in-depth look at these important women before, during and behind the revolution.
6:00 pm, Kaisersaal
A visit to the Chairwoman of the City Council (51)
Visit the First Citizen of Frankfurt in her office (51) very close to the Plenary Hall, and talk to Hilime Arslaner, Chairwoman of the City Council, about local politics, her work as Chairwoman of the City Parliament, or simply about Frankfurt in general. She looks forward to your questions. You can also see some of the host gifts from around the world in her office, and listen to her personal stories about them.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm und 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, “Dienstzimmer” on the 3rd floor
Programme Plenary Hall
Welcome
Welcome by Ms Hilime Arslaner, Head of the City Council, with musical accompaniment by the Bosporus Main Children’s Choir under the direction of Burcu Özcanyüz Seymen
12:00 pm
Universal suffrage. Historical development of a Paulskirche debate (1849 to 2023)
Based on excerpts from the debate of the Constitutional Committee of the National Assembly on “Universal Suffrage” held on 5 and 6 January 1849, this short play aims to depict the social and political developments up to the present day. It depicts key stations from 1849 to 1918 (introduction of women’s suffrage) and 1935 (the National Socialist era) to the present. The play will be performed by Mathis Eckert and Juri Zachriat, former participants in the “Young Paulskirche” programme of the Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft; editing and moderation: Marcus Kiesel
12:30 pm
“Unity, Justice and Freedom – The Revolution of 1848/49”
The artist Tino Leo (in all 10 roles) takes the audience on an exciting, passionate and humorous journey to the first all-German parliament in the “Paulskirche”. Meet people like Metternich, von Itzstein, von Gagern, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, peasants and craftsmen up close, who fought for the very freedoms we benefit from today. Many put their lives on the line and risked a lot in this resistance against the existing system. Freedom of expression, popular assemblies, demos, parliaments and freedom of the press all have their roots here. Experience the impact the revolution has had on all of our lives throughout Germany to the present day.
3:00 pm and 6:00 pm
*Status: 08.03.2023. Subject to changes.