The Franckesche Stiftungen have announced their annual program for 2025 under the intriguing title "Alles in Ordnung?" (Is Everything in Order?), which aims to engage with the significant societal changes of our time. This program features high-profile guests and host events focused on broad-ranging themes tied to cultural and social dynamics.
Beginning with the Francke celebration from March 21 to 23, the program will be inaugurated by Maja Göpel, one of the leading transformation researchers. During her festive address on March 22, Göpel will present her new ideas on ecological and social orders, emphasizing the pressing issues of our society today.
Among the distinguished guests joining the program is sociologist Steffen Mau, who will speak about societal division and unity on May 20, collaborating with MDR Kultur and moderator Vladimir Balzer. The well-known author Axel Hacke will share stories about the challenges of everyday life on November 21, enriching the program’s discourse surrounding democracy.
Integral to the program will be the year’s prominent exhibition titled "300 Jahre Neugier. Verborgenes Wissen aus der Wunderkammer des Waisenhauses" (300 Years of Curiosity. Hidden Knowledge from the Orphanage's Wonder Chamber). Scheduled to run from May 10 to February 2 of the following year, the showcase will display artifacts from the baroque Wunderkammer, which houses 3,000 eclectic items, including curiosities like a crocodile specimen and the rib of a whale.
Thomas Müller-Bahlke, director of the Franckesche Stiftungen, pointed out the importance of re-evaluated categories of order, stating, "Keine Ordnung hat ewigen Bestand," referring to the shifting principles of organization present within cultural history. Visitors can expect to see how historical classifications have evolved over the last 300 years, making antiquities more accessible through modern perspectives.
On the opening night of the exhibition, artist Urs Wehrli will project a light installation titled Chaos and Order onto the walls of the Freylinghausen Hall, with the event featuring the world premiere of newly composed music inspired by the Wunderkammer. The exhibition will also include guided tours providing insights on how modern audiences can engage with these historical treasures.
New formats aimed at diverse audiences are also included this year. The Franckesche Stiftungen will introduce "Kulturaperitif," whereby short thematic tours focusing on specific artifacts from the Wunderkammer will take place during lunchtime, followed by social gatherings at local restaurants. The summer will see the launch of evening serenades featuring musical performances at the Wonder Chamber’s balcony.
"The chamber is not just about exhibits from the past; it is about drawing connections to social and democratic foundations of the present day,” Müller-Bahlke states. This year also heralds two major academic conferences: one reflecting on the completion of 30 years of hymn research, showcasing pietistic church songs, and another exploring postcolonial themes.
Lastly, this program marks Müller-Bahlke's final year as director before passing the baton to Marianne Schröter, who may continue efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the Franckesche Stiftungen. Currently, the advisory organization Icomos is assessing the feasibility of the application, with decisions expected by the fall.
The Franckesche Stiftungen, founded by the Protestant pastor and educator August Hermann Francke in 1698, serve as an educational cosmos, housing collections, exhibitions, and multiple educational and social programs. With approximately 40 educational and cultural institutions under its umbrella, the foundation continues to be relevant by connecting past and present through innovative engagements. 2025 is set to be a landmark year for these storied institutions, offering insights and reflections necessary for both local and broader discourse.