Five stages, more than 50 locations – city marketing and local stakeholders promote an open, lively neighbourhood
On Saturday, 6 September, the station district invites you to the third edition of the "Open Quarter" action day. The Treffpunkt Bahnhofsviertel trade association is organising the event together with the "Auf ins Viertel" initiative. Visitors are invited to experience the diversity of the neighbourhood in the urban space – free of charge, in the open air and spread across five music stages and more than 50 other stations.
The stages are located at Jürgen-Ponto-Platz, Wiesenhüttenplatz, François-Mitterrand-Platz, Niddasack and Kaisertor. The programme ranges from block parties, live art and DJ sets to basketball and soccer courts and live broadcasts to Ukraine and Uganda. Social institutions will open their doors, present projects and provide insights into their work on site. The aim is to bring together businesses, residents, institutions and cultural creators – and to show the station district beyond its usual attributions. The day is supported by the City Marketing Department in the Department of Economy, Law and City Marketing. Department head Stephanie Wüst emphasises the pooling of local resources: the district is "diverse, rough, urban and full of life". Work is underway to make it a safe, clean and attractive place where people work, arrive and linger. "'Open Viertel' shows that the station district is much more than its reputation suggests," said Wüst. The positive stories about the neighbourhood – from recent culinary awards to international companies setting up shop there – not only strengthen the district, but also the Frankfurt am Main brand. The organisers also believe in openness as a principle. "The name says it all," says Nazim Alemdar, chairman of the trade association and operator of the YokYok kiosk. The festival invites everyone to celebrate peacefully together and discover new things. They are delighted with the broad participation from trade, gastronomy, culture and institutions – in addition to the large stages. Eduard M. Singer, head of the city marketing department, refers to the development of the format: The recurring event shows how much people care about the station district. It is not about denying problems, but about experiencing the neighbourhood first-hand: dancing, laughing, marvelling, exploring – and night-time forays into clubs and bars that facilitate encounters.
The action day thus follows a dual strategy: it enlivens the public space and at the same time sends a signal for an open culture of welcome in the "opportunity district" around the main station. Authenticity is to grow out of the commitment of local actors – from initiatives to businesses to social institutions. The concept includes guided tours, sports and cultural activities, and discussion forums taking place directly in squares and streets. Open Quarter begins on Saturday morning and continues throughout the day. Admission is free. Further information on the programme will be provided by the organisers at the respective stages and stations.
