Elisabeth's life unfolds between the anatomical institute and the welfare office. Scarcity is her strongest driving force. In order to earn money - she is a saleswoman for corsets, stockings, and bras - she needs a hawker's license, which costs 150 marks. For this amount, she would like to sell her body to the anatomical institute while still alive, which is not possible. The anatomist feels sorry for her and lends her the money. When he learns that Elisabeth has lied to him, he sends her to prison. But Elisabeth does not give up: young, hopeful, and determined to make her own luck, she fights with all means for her existence.

Ödön von Horváth's play is signed with "A little death dance in five acts": It shows the tragicomic struggle of the individual in a merciless society, in which the marginalized individual no longer plays a role.

2024-09-29_The Eternal Snob

2024-11-30_Mindfully Murdering

2025-02-15_Things I Know for Sure

2025-03-22_Rent a Friend

2025-04-26_Waiting for the Bus

Youth theater for ages 10 and up

by Nino Haratischwili

Sewn by eight-year-old Anand in a factory, the lion with the crooked eye has an important mission: He is to deliver a letter to God.
For the lion, a journey full of fateful encounters begins. He is sent to young people in various geographical and social circumstances: won at a fair by Emma, he experiences a life-changing move.
As a donation to Zula, he witnesses new friendships. In the hands of visionary Kiano, he becomes a commodity of hope. By Amari's side, he serves as a shield. Found by Louise, he becomes a lucky charm and ends up with Alex, whose seemingly lost dream is coming true.
With keen insight and high emotionality, Lions' Hearts tells the stories of children who, despite all odds, show courage and stand up for themselves and others. Nino Haratischwili creates a kaleidoscope of different fates, movingly demonstrating how everything in the world is connected.

A production of the Landestheater Tübingen.

Children: €7 / Adults: €12
Group price for school classes: €4 (supervising teaching staff free)

Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque
1914: The 19-year-old Paul Bäumer and his classmates finish high school and enthusiastically enlist in the First World War, spurred on by their teacher. For four years, Paul survives in the constant face of death - it seems like everything is going to end well, but fate has a different plan. Paul Bäumer falls in October 1918 - on a day so calm and quiet along the whole front that the military report simply states "All Quiet on the Western Front."

Eight Classical Concerts

Tickets may still be available at local box offices or at the door.

Welcome to the realm of knowledge in the Baroque era: Stepping onto creaking floorboards into the quiet grandeur of our historical library hall, one is immediately enveloped by the collective knowledge of the Early Modern period. Like stage sets in a Baroque theater, the original bookshelves jut into the space, housing around 50,000 books from all fields of knowledge. Behind unassuming book spines lie remarkable treasures, such as the first German Bible printed in America.

At the end of the 17th century, the orphanage's library was established as one of the first public libraries in Germany. Primarily through donations, book exchanges, and their own publications, the library grew so rapidly that within a few years, it was comparable to significant German university libraries. In 1728, it received its own building, which is considered the oldest surviving secular library structure in Germany. Not only in recent times has the library been visited by guests and researchers from around the world: Albrecht von Haller, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe all admired its bibliophilic treasures. We present a selection of them for you in rotating cabinet exhibitions in the former reading room of the library.

10 am - 5 pm

The Art and Natural History Chamber is considered the oldest German museum room. It was established by August Hermann Francke for educational purposes and is now once again set up according to the original museum concept of the 18th century in its historical location in the attic of the Historical Orphanage.

Eighteen richly decorated collection cabinets house approximately 3000 natural specimens, curiosities, and artifacts. They provide a unique impression of a Baroque cabinet of curiosities. Unlike modern museums, the chamber follows an encyclopedic collecting approach. A distinction is made between natural specimens and artifacts. The natural specimens are divided into rocks, plants, and animals, while the artifacts are categorized into visual arts, calligraphy, coins, everyday culture, and clothing. The goal was to create a mirror image of the world: a microcosm that made the macrocosm as the wonderful creation of God tangible.

In a series of events, art projects take place around the Art and Natural History Chamber. In the so-called "Contemporary Reflections on the Art and Natural History Chamber," foundations invite artists to engage in an artistic dialogue with the chamber.

Detailed information

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Palace-like, the orphanage rises on Franckeplatz. Then as now, it is the centerpiece of the Francke Foundations. Erected in 1698 as the first building of the school city, it represents a new facet of European Baroque, combining confident representation without extravagant ornamentation and setting the tone for orphanage architecture.

Today, the orphanage is our museum and cultural center. Right from the start, two permanent exhibitions guide you through the history of the foundation and the global impact of Pietism. On the first floor, the former prayer and singing hall surprises with its bright architecture. Today, it enjoys an excellent reputation as a concert hall due to its fantastic acoustics. In the adjacent conference rooms, a photo exhibition showcases the impressive renovation work since the foundations were reestablished in 1991. The second floor is reserved for our changing special exhibitions, which provide insight into important themes of the foundation's history from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Passing through the art and natural history collections in the attic, you reach the balcony via a narrow wooden staircase. Here, a wide view opens up over the impressive ensemble with school buildings from three centuries. There is also a splendid panorama of the Old Town of Halle from here. In the basement, children can explore their own paths in the Krokoseum.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What power does the word have? For Halleschen Pietismus, the word was of central importance. On the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage, we show you how August Hermann Francke's reform movement could spread around the world.

Francke developed central reformative goals of Martin Luther's with Halleschen Pietismus. His approach was as clear as it was revolutionary: Every person should find God through their own Bible reading. However, for this to happen, everyone - boys and girls alike - had to learn to read, everyone should be able to afford their own Bible and it should be printed in their own native language. Therefore, Francke established schools for all social classes, printed millions of German-language People's Bibles, and created an international network through which the Bible was translated into many other languages. His educational initiative allowed a broad population to engage with the word. In the 18th-century evangelical parsonages, the authors of the Romantic and Enlightenment periods were highly regarded. A culture of self-reflection spread in Pietism, which was reflected in diaries and personal testimonies, giving us remarkable insights into the spiritual life of people of that time. Symbolically, the power of the word is also evident in the meticulously restored pulpit from the Church of St. Ulrich in Halle, where Francke preached from 1715 and which you can admire in the exhibition.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

4 talers and 16 groschen are considered the founding capital of the Francke Foundations. How an unparalleled school city grew from this unexpected donation to a simple pastor in Glaucha can be discovered on the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage. A multimedia installation and numerous extraordinary objects will transport you into the fascinating founding and impact history of Francke's work. Because what began with a school for the poor and an orphanage, developed in a few decades into a true reform project that was based on education: Over 2,000 students learned in various schools, specially constructed economic buildings, a hospital, and a pharmacy guaranteed the care of over 3,000 people on the premises, unique cultural-historical collections in the library and chamber of wonders were established, and Francke's ideas were spread within and outside Europe. August Hermann Francke wanted nothing less than a "world change through personal change." Discover everything he set in motion through this.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Svavar Knútur is an artist with countless facets, who brings a great love for his audience and strives to ensure that no one feels left out after his shows. With a lightness and overflowing sympathy, he manages to enchant and captivate every audience from the very first moment. He presents his songs in an incredibly touching way and tells the most absurd stories and jokes in between, spiced with a good dose of black Icelandic humor. Svavar likes to refer to himself as a Public Health Troubadour, the broccoli of the soul.

Doors open at 7 pm, assigned seating.

Culinary enjoyment and thrills: Guests at Schloss Petershagen in Petershagen are offered quite a lot: Exquisitely served, spontaneously staged. The COMEDY Kriminal Dinner – it’s a delicious multi-course menu in a stylish setting framed by a crime play:

“Testament à la Carte“ - a will reading with a bite!

Prof. William Chattney is dead. He was a famous scientist. But before the will can be read, the life of the deceased must be reconstructed with the help of the guests. Actually, no problem, if it weren’t for Detective Johnson. He’s investigating, as Chattney’s death is a violent crime.

Who killed Chattney and how? What was he researching? And what secret did he take to the grave? The notary Mr. Green and his loyal assistant Manfred have their hands full: They check the surveillance cameras of the estate, read with the help of Herbert Wandschneider from the future, and Dr. Sten-Gelle unites cosmic energy with science, just to solve the mystery. In the end, it is Extrem Norbert, supported by the audience, who initiates the turnaround.

The actors spontaneously involve the audience time and again through their many years of experience as improvisational artists in the crime story. Culinary delights and entertainment, unpredictable developments and amazing twists alternate.

The two performers use a variety of expressive means, play several characters, and have a keen sense for the audience. Their zest for performance is hardly to be contained and enchants the audience. “The thrilling uncertainty and the moment of surprise – both in the audience and on stage - that’s what makes it exciting.”

The seductive multi-course menu is served and created by the kitchen team at Schloss Petershagen. The thrill for nerves and palate starts at 7 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.

Entry: 6:30 PM / Menu and play are included in the price / Table and seating are assigned on-site.

For the season finale of the SWP classical! series on April 2, 2025, the outstanding string quartet from Norway comes to the Danube: the Engegård Quartet. They will perform a work by Johann Kvandal, as well as Beethoven's string quartet op. 95 and the magnificent string quartet by Jean Sibelius.

Students pay only 9 euros!

Admission from 7:30 PM

Admission: 7:00 PM

Andreas Neumann presents his Heinz Erhardt evening

In a uniquely successful way, the parodist Andreas Neumann brings the popular comedians, humorists, and film stars of the economic miracle years back to life, and he does it so skillfully that Heinz Erhardt's daughter, Grit Berthold, approvingly noted, "When I heard Andreas Neumann, I thought my father was alive again." One truly believes in an incarnation of the economic miracle comedian who passed away in 1979! The press writes, "The best Heinz Erhardt since Heinz Erhardt."
Andreas Neumann will also present other prominent guests on stage because as a professional parodist, one should have more than one voice available. For the parodist, particularly fruitful personalities such as Heinz Rühmann, Hans Moser, Theo Lingen, and Jürgen von Mangers Tegtmeier, Neumann lends his versatile voice, as well as Marcel Reich-Ranicki, Inge Meysel, Ekel Alfred, and others have their say, often at a speed that makes one think there are several people on stage. One for ALL - all at once, the motto of the parodist.

Particularly noteworthy is that Neumann has written new texts for his program, so the audience always experiences something new with old acquaintances!

In addition, our gastronomy partners will serve you select regional delicacies - an impressive journey through time that you will not soon forget!
Included in the ticket price:
- Seat reservation
- Aperitif
- 3-course menu
- Uniquely entertaining entertainment

No admission before 6:00 p.m. / Start at 6:30 p.m.

"Live und in Farbe" Tour

"It's time for more edges and corners..." say the Dortmund twins Finn & Jonas, who have recently completely restructured their musical project. "We are now more than just Finn & Jonas. We have a band now!" And it is this band called BRUCHBUDE that will tour across Germany at the beginning of next year. Authentic, raw indie pop with loud electric guitars and captivating melodies. Finn and Jonas remain the lead singers, Luis Melo takes over the bass, and urban artist Yuto plays the piano - this formation has already proven itself on their first tour in 2023.

The "BRUCHBUDE" has long held great meaning for the four musicians: it is the garden shed that was transformed into its own small recording studio and should be the starting point for their shared passion and many memories. Together - now - BRUCHBUDE has already performed at festivals like Open Flair, Schlossgrabenfestival Darmstadt, or JunkYard Dortmund, appeared on 1LIVE Heimatkult and now even launched their own YouTube show.

They are a band that radiates enthusiasm and joy for music and art which is evident every second. And so, experiencing BRUCHBUDE on the club stages during the "Live und in Farbe" Tour in spring 2025 promises to be a great celebration for all involved!

Doors open: 7:00 PM

We all access the internet daily through web browsers. The question of how browsers determine what we experience online has fascinated artists early on. Based on a research project by the KIT Institute for Art and Architectural History on browser art, the exhibition »Choose Your Filter!« provides insights into 30 years of browser development. Here, you can discover and try out browser visions through interactive installations. 

Wed to Fri from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sat and Sun 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

In the old town with its medieval squares and winding alleys, charming half-timbered houses stand alongside representative buildings from the time of the Reichskammergericht, shaping the cityscape. Johann Wolfgang Goethe stayed in Wetzlar in the summer of 1772. His experiences inspired the poet to his first major literary success, the epistolary novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther". Also fascinating is the unfinished gothic cathedral, which reflects a piece of the city's history through its combination of Romanesque and Gothic style elements.

Duration: 1.5 hours