Programme
Welcome to the Open Day at the Römer! On Saturday, 17 May, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can discover the City Hall and your opportunities for co-determination in city politics.
For example, you can experience the work of the municipal offices, visit the meeting rooms of City Council and the Municipal Administration, or take a look inside the “Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall). Exchange your views with the representatives of the Municipal Administration, the City Council and the parliamentary groups.
You can look forward to a varied programme with discussions, hands-on activities and exciting guided tours through the hidden corners of the Römer. The city’s employees are looking forward to your visit!
Römerberg and St. Paul’s Church
Römerberg
The Römerberg offers a varied programme for young and old, with hands-on activities, demonstrations and large emergency vehicles, for example from the fire brigade. Children can look forward to an adventure playground right in the centre of the city.
▶ Click here for the Römerberg site map
Selfie-Point „FRANKFURT“
Frankfurt City Marketing and the umbrella organisation of Frankfurt’s trade associations invite you to take a photo of yourself in front of the large Frankfurt sign.
For 10 euros per ticket, #visitfrankfurt offers guided tours of the Old Town (German: 11 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. / English: 10.30 a.m.) and the city tour between palm trees and skyline at 2.30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Römer Tourist Information Centre and at:
https://www.visitfrankfurt.travel/buchen/stadtfuehrungen/oeffentliche-stadtfuehrungen#/.
Guided tours: St. Paul’s Church and House of Democracy
The St. Paul’s Church is a place that symbolises the history of democracy throughout Germany. It will be renovated and further developed in the coming years. In addition, there are plans to create the House of Democracy – a lively space for dialogue, discussion and participation.
During the guided tours the “St. Paul’s Church” and “Development St. Paul’s Church/House of Democracy” staff units will provide insights into the process and about the planned public participation. St. Paul’s Church is open all day.
12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. for families with children aged 6 and over (approx. 45 minutes each)
Meeting point: “Einheitsdenkmal” (Unity Monument) in front of the main entrance to the St. Paul’s Church
Römer guided tours
Take part in one of the many free guided tours and get to know the Römer City Hall and its history. Free tickets are available at the information point Römer guided tours. Pre-booking is not necessary.
Times of the guided tours:
German: 11:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
English: 3 and 4 p.m.
Accessible tours: 3 and 5 p.m.
Guided tours for children: 2 and 4 p.m.
▶ Click here for the Römerberg site map
For the guided tour for people with visual impairments at 12 noon and the guided tour in simple language and sign language at 1 p.m., prior registration is required at: anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de.
For guided tours in Ukrainian, Hindi and Polish at 11 a.m., Pashto and Dari at 11:30 a.m., Serbian at 12 p.m., Chinese at 1 p.m., French at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., Russian, Portuguese and Spanish at 2 p.m., Azerbaijani at 2:15 p.m. and Bosnian and Moldavian/Romanian at 3 p.m., please register directly with the KAV by Thursday, May 15 at anmeldung.kav@stadt-frankfurt.de .
Römer City Hall
Offices exhibition
Municipal offices, businesses and companies present themselves in the Römer- and “Schwanenhalle” as well as in the Römerberg foyer. They provide information about their work and invite visitors to exchange ideas and engage in dialogue.
▶ Click here for the floor plans of the Ground Floor, 1st Floor, and 2nd Floor
A look behind the scenes
KoDeX Römer – learning centre for local politics
What is it like to work in the City Hall? And how can I get involved? At various stations, the KoDeX Municipal Democracy Explainer illustrates how local politics works, from the electoral system to the decision-making processes. Here you can also find out what opportunities citizens have to become active themselves.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wannebachhöfchen, ground floor
The Registry Office
Visit the most romantic hall in the Römer: the wedding hall, where hundreds of couples say “I do” every year.
From 2.30 p.m., wedding hall, 1st floor
The “Stadtschatz”? Treasurer Dr Bergerhoff explains the budget
City Treasurer Dr Bastian Bergerhoff explains everything you should know about the municipal budget – easy to understand, without complicated technical terms.
Register by 14 May at: DezernatVI@stadt-frankfurt.de
The meeting point will be communicated in the confirmation of participation.
10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Lord Mayor’s office
If you would like to know what Mike Josef’s workplace looks like, you can get an exclusive insight: Together with city guide Christian Setzepfandt, you will visit the office, the “Wandelhalle” and the meeting place of the Municipal Administration. The office is accessible all day, even without the guided tour.
Register by Wednesday, 7 May at anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de stating the respective time.
Guided Tours: 11:30-11:45 a.m.; 12:15-12:30 p.m.; 1-1:15 p.m.; 1:45-2 p.m.
Visit Frankfurt’s First Citizen in her office. Hilime Arslaner, Head of City Council, opens her doors and looks forward to your questions. Talk to her about local politics, her work as Chairwoman of the City Parliament or simply about Frankfurt. You can also view gifts from around the world in her office.
2:30 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m., 3rd floor office
Gastronomy
The “Ratskeller” invites you to linger and enjoy. Hot and cold food, drinks as well as coffee and cake are available at the sales counters. For people with limited mobility, table service is available in the neighbouring chapel. The “Römerhöfchen” also offers grilled specialities and a vegetarian menu.
2nd Floor
“Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall)
Hands-on democracy: speed dating with Frankfurt’s politicians
Would you like to know who makes the decisions in our city? The speed dating event gives you the opportunity to speak directly with full-time members of the Municipal Administration and City Councillors. You can ask questions, share ideas and experience how lively democracy can be in a personal dialogue. You have the opportunity to talk with as many as three politicians. The speed dating event will be hosted by Hessenschau presenter Hülya Deyneli.
Limited number of places. Please arrive approx. 10 minutes before the start to receive your ticket.
The following politicians look forward to meeting you:
12 p.m. to 1.10 p.m.
Hilime Arslaner, City Councillor (Die GRÜNEN) / Dr. Christoph Rosenbaum, City Councillor (Die GRÜNEN) / Thomas Schlimme, City Councillor (Die GRÜNEN) / Verena David, City Councillor (CDU) / Simon Witsch, City Councillor (SPD) / Michael Müller, City Councillor (Die Linke) / Mathias Pfeiffer, City Councillor (BFF-BIG)
Mike Josef, Lord Mayor (SPD) / Wolfgang Siefert, Head of Department for Mobility (Die GRÜNEN) / Tina Zapf-Rodríguez, Head of Department for Climate, Environment and Women (Die GRÜNEN) / Elke Voitl, Head of Department for Social Affairs and Health (Die GRÜNEN)
4 p.m. to 5.10 p.m.
Dimitrios Bakakis, City Councillor (Die GRÜNEN), Julia Eberz, City Councillor (Die GRÜNEN) / Sara Steinhardt, City Councillor (CDU) / Sabine Fischer, City Councillor (CDU) / Sieghard Pawlik, Honorary City Councillor (SPD) / Markus Fuchs, City Councillor (AfD) / Britta Wollkopf, City Councillor (Volt)
Eileen O’Sullivan, Head of Department for Citizens, Digital and International Affairs (Volt) / Dr. Bastian Bergerhoff, City Treasurer, Head of Department for Finance, Investments and Personnel (Die GRÜNEN) / Stephanie Wüst, Head of Department for Economic Affairs, Law and City Marketing (FDP) / Dr. Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg, Mayor, Head of Department for Diversity, Anti-Discrimination and Social Cohesion (Die GRÜNEN)
Please register by email by 14May and let us know who you would like to talk to.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis – we will endeavour to make your preferred talks possible depending on your request and availability and will inform you in good time which talks have been scheduled for you.
Please register at: anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de
From 12 noon to 1:10 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5.10 p.m., “Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall)
Political Karaoke
A special kind of community experience: conquer the “Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall) in the Römer by singing. Together with people of all generations, you can sing in a relaxed, informal atmosphere – without fear of notes and wrong notes, including songs by Brecht and Biermann.
An event organised by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
2 to 3 p.m., “Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall)
“Limpurgsaal”
Anniversary of 100 years of “Neues Frankfurt” – 100 years of “Waldstadion”
100 years ago, the sports park in the city forest opened its doors – one of the most modern facilities of its time with a stadium, swimming pool and cycling track. Frankfurt even applied to host the 1936 Olympic Games. Matthias Thoma (“Eintracht Museum”) joins Dr Julius Reinsberg (Frankfurt Department of Culture) on a journey back in time to Frankfurt’s golden twenties of sport.
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
Local politics made easy – What is decided here and by whom?
Local politics made easy – What is decided here and by whom? Who decides what happens in Frankfurt? Who makes the rules for schools, buses or playgrounds? Here we explain how politics works in Frankfurt in an easy and understandable way. You can ask questions and talk to us. Drop by and find out how you too can have your say! Host: Mikael Horstmann
An event organised by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
1 to 1.45 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
And who represents me? Diversity and representation in Frankfurt
Every vote carries the same weight – but not every voice is heard equally. How can it be that some social groups are clearly overrepresented and others not at all? What do we need to do to give every voice equal weight? This is the topic of the panel discussion with City Councillors Emre Telyakar (“Die Grünen”), Omar Shehata (SPD) and Mirrianne Mahn (ÖkoLinX-ELF). Host: Dr Thuy Loan Nguyen
An event organised by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
2 to 2.45 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
Film screening: The “Goetheturm” – a Frankfurt landmark is being rebuilt
Majestically enthroned above the city forest: the “Goetheturm”, donated by Frankfurt patron and merchant Gustav Gerst. On the night of 13 October 2017, the Frankfurt landmark burned down completely and was rebuilt true to the original by August 2021
3 to 3.45 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
Anniversary of 100 years of New Frankfurt – Life in the modernist housing estates
The legendary “New Frankfurt” urban renewal programme had a comprehensive vision: living, working, leisure – every area of life for the people of Frankfurt was to be revolutionised. But how was this accepted in practice by the residents of the estates – and what is left of the vision today? In conversation with Dr Julius Reinsberg (Department of Culture), journalist and long-time Römerstadt resident Oscar Unger (Ernst May Society) takes a look at everyday life in the 1920s and the decades that followed.
4 p.m. to 4.45 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
Film Screening: Frankfurt’s St. Paul’s Church – a unique place
On 18 May 1848, the members of the first all-German parliament gathered in Frankfurt’s St. Paul’s Church to discuss a liberal constitution and the formation of a German nation state. To commemorate this, a film was made in 2023 with previously unpublished sound and film recordings.
5 to 5.45 p.m., “Limpurgsaal”
“Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall) foyer
Introducing city politics
Come and talk to representatives of the City Council: At the information stands on the 2nd floor in the “Kaisersaal” (Emperor’s Hall) foyer, in the “Wandelhalle” and in the Neo-Gothic stairwell, the parliamentary groups in the Römer will introduce themselves: “DIE GRÜNEN”, CDU, SPD, Die Linke, FDP, BFF-BIG, AfD, Volt, ÖkoLinX-ELF and “DIE FRAKTION”.
There will also be a stand by the non-affiliated City Councillors. Here you will also find the presentation of the Adult Education Centre Frankfurt am Main, the Info-Point and the Ernst May Society e.V.
“Ludwig-Landmann-Saal”
The Golden Book
Weighing 20 kilograms, half a metre long and 38 centimetres wide – the Golden Book of the City of Frankfurt is a real eye-catcher in which personalities from politics, business, culture, church and sport from all over the world have inscribed their names. During a short guided tour, you will hear exciting stories about the Golden Book. Guided tours from 12 noon to 4 p.m., always on the hour.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Ludwig-Landmann-Hall
3rd Floor
Committees exhibition
In the foyer of the “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall), you will meet representatives of the local consultative councils, Heads of City District, the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council of the City of Frankfurt am Main, the Frankfurt Prevention Council and members of the Municipal Council for Foreigners. Find out more about their intermediary functions between citizens and the City Administration.
“Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall)
Once a month, the City Councillors meet in the “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall) to make important decisions for our city. Here you can find out how a meeting of the City Council is organised and learn about the special features of the “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall). Throughout the day, staff from the City Assembly office will be on hand to inform visitors.
“Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall) programme:
Welcome and opening of the programme by Hilime Arslaner, Head of City Council
1.30 p.m., “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, “GRUNDGESETZ” (by and with Tino Leo)
An entertaining and informative journey through time: In his theatre play, actor and author Tino Leo takes you back to the year 1949, when the “Grundgesetz” (German Constitution) was created from the ruins of the Second World War. The 61 fathers and four mothers of our Constitution resolutely take action. They succeed in creating what has now lasted for three quarters of a century: a democratic Constitution.
1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m., “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall)
Round Table Parliament – Question time in simple language
What is a state based on the rule of law? And what does it mean in our city? At the Round Table Parliament you talk to Frankfurt politicians. This time it’s about the rule of law. First there will be an explanation. You can ask questions about the rule of law. You can also ask questions about the work of the politicians. The Round Table Parliament will be held in plain language. Guest: Sylvia Momsen (“DIE GRÜNEN”). The Round Table Parliament is jointly organised by Lebenshilfe Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Adult Education Centre. Participation only with pre-registration at freizeit@lebenshilfe-ffm.de
2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., visitors’ cafeteria “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall), 4th floor
Lots of fun for children
On this day, the Römer becomes a place of adventure and offers great activities for the young citizens of Frankfurt.
Guided tours for children
Little visitors can have their own guided tour to explore the Römer city hall. Free tickets are available at the meeting point for the Römer tours at the Römerberg.
2 and 4 p.m.
“Spielmobil” of the “Riederwald” adventure playground
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Römerberg
Button making for young and old
Everyone can produce their own personalised Open Day button with their own motif and design.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Room 310 (behind the “Plenarsaal” (plenary meeting hall))
The democracy construction site. Building Community. Shaping democracy.
In the St. Paul’s Church, 10,000 wooden blocks are ready for you to build something together with others: Bridges, towers, buildings – there are no limits to the imagination when building our democracy. The event is organised in cooperation with the Polytechnische Gesellschaft Foundation.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s Church)
