Flowers for Francke’s 359th birthday – you are Halle

After the Francke celebration had to be canceled for the last two years due to Corona, it was that time again this year. In the Lindenhof directly at the Francke memorial of the Franckesche Stiftungen in Halle (Saale), the various institutions commemorated the founder of the “Glauchsche Anstalten”. Flower arrangements were laid at the memorial for the Schulstadt founder on his 359th birthday.

The Stadtsingechor and Latina Brass provided the musical accompaniment. The commemorative speech came from Beate Violet, head of the pastoral seminar of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany. “August Hermann Francke was a visionary,” she said. “He wanted to take faith from the head to the heart.” He also succeeded. Violet indicated his empathy and compassion. These would have initiated an education for more education, health and participation. His heart and emotions would have done a lot of good. These would have set others in motion and given Francke’s social, educational and Christian work hand and foot.

Francke was also a clever person. “But all theory, and above all all theory and all belief, he is convinced, must prove itself in practice and be concretely tangible in life.” Francke’s maxim of life and faith is still relevant today. He made use of two things in particular that have been well researched neurobiologically today and are unthinkable without emotions. On the one hand, this is the power of the connectedness of people with each other, on the other hand, the knowledge and the power that lies in the fact that people can gain meaning from their lives and their experiences.

Violet also addressed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “We are shaken awake by the suffering that is happening to the people there.” It is a good signal that so many people are now helping out and being touched by the events in Ukraine. “It still exists, empathy. They still exist, emotions that are used for good. In them, in compassion, lies the key to peaceful coexistence.” Feelings that are expressed unfold their power, could initiate changes, overcome what divides, contribute to reconciliation.

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