Francke Celebration

The Pfeifer & Langen prizes will be awarded to pupils from the comprehensive school and the Latina state grammar school at a festive ceremony. The prizes recognise outstanding social commitment to the Francke Foundations and the city of Halle.

Every two years, association members are invited to learn about the current status of the Friends' work and ongoing projects. It is also an opportunity to engage in conversation with one another. The regular board elections are also on the agenda for 2026.

Connoisseurs and enthusiasts are aware of the uniqueness of this format: the most talented instrumentalists from the LATINA August Hermann Francke State Grammar School come together to perform a solo recital in front of a large audience. Join us in looking forward to ###. The young musicians will perform works by ###, among others.

The organic bakeries Fischer and Kirn bake in the town's oldest wood-fired oven and invite you to enjoy coffee and cake. In the afternoon, children can bake their own Francke-Taler.

We were delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Jutta Allmendinger as our keynote speaker. She enjoys an excellent reputation as an educational sociologist and labour market researcher and is a member of the German Ethics Council, the Science Council and the editorial board of the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT, among other organisations. Her authoritative research on educational inequalities, life courses and social structures provides valuable impetus for the discussion on orientation in our present day. 

Searching, looking through and staying on course together.
Hands-on activities for children and families on the topic of orientation

The annual exhibition was not yet on display at the last Francke celebration. It offers a modern »instruction manual« for the »walk-in total artwork Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities« – with newly researched and never-before-seen exhibits, vivid multimedia stations, playful hands-on activities, and embedded in the current discourses of the 21st century. The curatorial team offers several short guided tours.

Dr Marianne Schröter has held the position of Director of the Francke Foundations since September 2025. In a relaxed conversation with journalist Theo Lies, the discussion will focus on her biographical influences, her professional career and her ideas for the future development of the Francke Foundations.

August Hermann Francke's birthday is commemorated with singing, a speech and flowers from all the institutions in the foundations. This year, Juliane Dunkel will speak on behalf of the August Hermann Francke Community School. The Stadtsingechor choir and Latina Brass will provide the musical accompaniment in their usual high quality.

After the memorial service, all guests can enjoy coffee and cake in the orphanage. The café, organised by the junior members of the Association of Friends of Francke Foundations, is a cosy place to exchange ideas. Everyone is cordially invited.

Donations for the realisation of social projects on the foundation's premises are welcome. 

Accompanied by the motet of the city choir of singers we go into the evening. This spiritual musical hour is combined with the Ecce celebration. We remember not only the deceased alumni of the foundation schools, but also many people who have been committed to the foundations in various ways and from whom we have had to say goodbye forever in the past year.

The Francke celebrations will conclude on Sunday with a festive musical service, which we will celebrate together with the market town. The sermon will be preached by the foundation's pastor Gabriele Zander and the Hallenser Madrigalisten will provide musical splendour.