Driven by our desire to improve society, we are now actively involved in current social debates on the topics of demographic education, social participation and sustainable action.
Who we are
The foundation of the Francke Foundations goes back to the Lutheran theologian and pedagogue August Hermann Francke (1663-1727). Rooted in deep piety, inspired by Christian conviction and driven by pietistic energy, he founded a school for the poor and an orphanage more than three hundred years ago at the gates of the city of Halle an der Saale. Within a few years this developed into a tripartite school system for all social classes, for boys and girls. August Hermann Francke thus began to use the means of education to eliminate social grievances and to improve the society of his time in a Christian sense. Since the reestablishment of the Francke Foundations as a foundation under public law in 1992, we have been preserving and caring for the cultural heritage founded by August Hermann Francke:
On the one hand, this is achieved by preserving the unique ensemble of buildings and the traditional cultural-historical collections, which are mainly grouped together in the archive, the library and the Kunst- und Naturalienkammer. On the other hand, this is achieved by reviving the ideas and basic concerns of August Hermann Francke in a contemporary form. In the foundation's own facilities we offer cultural, scientific, social and educational activities aimed at all people at home and abroad. In addition, the foundations also form the roof for several dozen other institutions, each of which independently continues some aspects of Francke's traditional heritage on the foundation's premises. This also includes institutions that consciously strengthen Christian life in the Francke Foundations.
Today, the Francke Foundations once again have the potential to provide answers to current social challenges with their cultural education programmes closely interlinked with scientific work and a wide range of social activities. These are surprisingly similar to the problems during Francke's lifetime. Even today, the focus is on questions of social participation, educational justice and intercultural coexistence, to name just a few examples. Thus we will continue to orient our work towards the ideas of the founder August Hermann Francke and develop educational offers for all social groups, independent of social and cultural origin as well as age and gender, in order to stand up in this way for a cosmopolitan and democratic society.
Dr. Marianne Schröter
Director
Joachim Gauck as Federal President
on the occasion of the 350th birthday of August Hermann Francke
Today, we experience the Francke Foundations in the form of active preservation of tradition. Here, one senses the courage to tackle current socio-political challenges and is amazed to find that, strikingly, these are often the same as in Francke's time: education, participation and social equality, which teaches people to make the most of their own opportunities.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth
on the occasion of the 325th anniversary of the Francke Foundations
325 years of Francke Foundations means 325 years of commitment to society and the common good: the multifaceted activities of the foundations, which combine culture, education, social affairs and science, continue to impress to this day. Their commitment to culture, social participation and educational equality has lost none of its relevance and is more important than ever. That is why my institution supports the important work of the Francke Foundations with annual institutional funding.
Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters
during her visit to the Francke Foundations (2015)
With financial support from the federal and state governments, the goal of restoring this important cultural institution to its former glory is within reach. The fact that we have succeeded in restoring this historic cultural landmark in Halle to its former glory is further proof of cooperative and constructive cultural federalism.
Minister of Culture of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Rainer Robra
With the Francke Foundations, we have a unique ensemble of cultural and scientific institutions in the heart of Halle, which still uphold the educational ideals of their founder today. It was therefore particularly important to the state government to preserve the tangible and intangible legacy of August Hermann Francke and make it fit for the future.
