With the cultural pilot project "Uff die Gass!", Alt-Sachsenhausen is launching an ambitious initiative in the summer of 2025 to revitalise the centrally located Paradiesplatz in a sustainable and collaborative manner. Under the leadership of the Altsax Kunst und Kultur association and in close cooperation with Frankfurt City Marketing, the square will be transformed into an open stage for art, music, sport and creative participatory activities on several weekends – free of charge, low-threshold and intergenerational.
"With 'Uff die Gass!', we want to show how culture can contribute to noticeably improving the quality of life, encounters and experiences in the neighbourhood. Paradiesplatz should once again be perceived as a lively centre and provide impetus for positive development," emphasises Stephanie Wüst, Head of Economic Affairs. She points out that, in addition to a strong economy and high tourist appeal, there are also numerous challenges, such as noise, litter and increasing vacancy rates. These issues are to be addressed together with residents and local stakeholders through concrete actions and long-term solutions. Eduard M. Singer, head of the city marketing department, emphasises that the project is deliberately not designed as a one-off festival, but is intended to have a lasting impact on the neighbourhood and create spaces for dialogue: "Our goal is to work with citizens to develop new visions for Alt-Sachsenhausen – based on the historical heritage of the neighbourhood, but with a focus on the future and inclusivity."
The initiators from the Altsax Kunst und Kultur association have long been committed to highlighting the creative potential of the neighbourhood. "This project is really close to our hearts. With a lot of passion and voluntary work, we have turned a once neglected and vacant place into a meeting place that is now being further developed. The aim is to restore diversity, quality of life and community to Alt-Sachsenhausen, beyond problems such as litter and noise," explains association chairman Timo Braun.
The extensive cultural programme kicks off on the weekend of 20 to 22 June with musical highlights, including the "Fête de la Musique", a jazz brunch, readings and guided tours on local history. From 3 to 6 July, the focus will be on movement and interaction – including boxing workshops for children and young people, organised in collaboration with local sports clubs. A special highlight is Neighbourhood Day on 6 July, which will feature numerous activities aimed specifically at families and intergenerational encounters.
Finally, the third weekend from 17 to 20 July is dedicated to the creative diversity of the district with comedy, hip-hop open mic and graffiti jams. Here, too, the organisers are focusing on the broad involvement of local artists and the neighbourhood. The "Open Walls" and "Montana Store Frankfurt" initiatives are supporting the programme in particular with graffiti workshops that also allow children to get creative. In the run-up to the event, an open residents' meeting will take place on Paradiesplatz on Tuesday, 17 June at 7 p.m. All interested parties are invited to contribute their suggestions and ideas and to actively shape the project together. In the long term, "Uff die Gass!" sees itself as a kick-off and impetus for the sustainable cultural and social development of Alt-Sachsenhausen – towards a lively, open and inclusive neighbourhood.
Photo, left: From left: Eduard M. Singer, Timo Braun, Marc Hofmann from the Ort3 agency, Laura Diehm, Head of Economic Affairs Stephanie Wüst, Luca Ganz from the Ort3 agency and Alice Diehm, copyright: City of Frankfurt am Main, photo: Salome Roessler
Photo, right: Timo Braun and Laura Diehm from the Altsax Art and Culture Association with Luca Ganz from the Ort3 agency, copyright: City of Frankfurt am Main, photo: Salome Roessler
