Long Night of the Sciences

Marketing in the 18th century

Blick auf die Wiese vor dem Waisenhaus am Abend, Besucher:innen sitzen und unterhalten sich gemütlich

Public relations is not an invention of the 20th century. An important tool for attracting people to the foundations was and is the practice of showing guests around. To ensure that these tours were carried out in the interests of the institution, a guideline – the »Instruction« – was issued as early as the mid-18th century. A rare and highly interesting source!

Join us on a typical guided tour of the foundations in the mid-18th century and find out what was said and shown, which groups of people were particularly pointed out and which notable incidents occurred.

In addition to this special offer, we invite you to an extensive programme on the Francke Foundations campus, with the usual science slam as the final highlight and a music lounge on Franckeplatz.

Friday, 07/04/2025

Annual exhibition »300 years of knowledge«

Visit the annual exhibition »300 years of curiosity. Hidden knowledge from the cabinet of curiosities«.

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Historic Orphanage

Garden restaurant at Franckeplatz

Besucher:innen auf der Wiese vor dem Waisenhaus im Abendlicht

Enjoy live music with ZWIO Plus and get a snack at the Tranquebar.

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

With curiosity through the annual exhibition

Let this short tour guide you through the annual exhibition »300 Years of Curiosity« and gain further exciting insights into the exhibition. (in German)

6:00 pm - 6:45 pm, Historic Orphanage

Original guided tour of the 18th century

Experience a typical guided tour as in the 18th century according to the rules of the guides of the time, with exciting stories and surprising events.

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Historic Orphanage

Science Slam: Clear the stage for science!

At the Science Slam, scientists from a wide range of disciplines present their research in concise, ten-minute short talks – in an understandable and entertaining way. The winner of the evening is chosen at the end by the person who inspires the audience the most.

Among them: Marie Beaupain, Dr.-Ing. Joana Madjarov, Dr. Daniel Meza Arredondo and Kathrin Viergutz.
The special feature: The slam will be accompanied by live music from the duo »The silence of the Slammer« - with Friede Hentze on drums and Ulrich Heiser on piano.

10:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Historic Orphanage