Celebrating 80 Years! – Open House at the DAI in Heidelberg
- 80 Years of DAI Heidelberg—we’d like to celebrate this with all of you!
- Festival
Since 1946, the DAI has been a central hub for encounters, exchange, and democratic education. Founded as the “Amerikahaus” in the postwar period, it has evolved into an open space for culture, scholarship, language, and social dialogue.
To celebrate our anniversary, we’re opening our doors to everyone who knows the DAI, wants to rediscover it, or simply wants to spend a very special afternoon in an inspiring and relaxed atmosphere.
Starting at 2:00 p.m., a diverse program at the DAI Open House invites you to join in and participate. The duo HAWA MUPO will kick off the event with live music. The Edelstein dance orchestra, featuring ten young musicians, will treat the audience to American music ranging from swing to contemporary styles. Join in the fun with line dance sessions; the art exhibition by students of the HPC International School offers answers to the question “What does democracy mean to you?”; and the Heidelberg Literature Scouts will share fresh book recommendations. Creative activities, games, a quiz, and—last but not least—our exhibition “80 Years of Encounters,” featuring the Wall of History, the Wall of Fame, and an audio journey through the DAI’s decades, are all waiting to be discovered throughout the building.
Together with you, we’d like to look back on eight eventful decades full of encounters and, at the same time, celebrate the future: a future shaped by openness, curiosity, and cultural exchange.
We look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces and to an unforgettable day!
To mark its 80th anniversary, the DAI invites you to learn about the facts, stories, and the people behind them: at the Open House on July 12 and at the exhibition “80 Years of Encounters,” which will be on view until the end of the year. You can also find fascinating information about eight decades of the DAI here on our anniversary website. We hope you enjoy exploring!
At 6:00 p.m., a discussion between Member of the Bundestag Metin Hakverdi and journalist Christoph von Marschall will take place in the main hall on the topic “And Now? The West After the Turning Point.” Admission is free.
Program
Makerspace / Basement
| All day | Screen Printing Creative Station Design your own DAI souvenir! |
| 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Story Time for Kids What if you could shape the world? |
| 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Face Painting Let your creativity shine! |
Main Hall / Ground Floor
| All day | Video Projection: 80 Years of Encounters Dive into transatlantic history and the history of the DAI. |
| All day | Photo Booth Strike a pose and capture the fun! |
| 2:00–3:00 p.m. & 3:30–4:30 p.m. |
Live music (Hawa Mupo & Tanzorchester Edelstein) Time to have some fun! |
| 3:00–3:20 p.m. & 4:30–4:50 p.m. |
Train Your Line Dancing Watch, learn, and join in! |
Library / 1st Floor
| All day | PenPal Write a postcard and make a new friend in the U.S.! |
| All day | Wall of Fame Explore the DAI’s Who’s Who |
| All day | Listening Station:Encountering Time Go on an immersive audio journey through the DAI archive. |
| All day | Speed Connect Chat with each other—and, of course, about the DAI! |
| 3:00–3:40 p.m. | Heidelberg Literature Scouts: Book Pitches by Students Looking for your next read? We’ve got just the thing! |
| 4:00 –4:20 p.m. | Quiz How well do you know the DAI? |
Administration / 2nd Floor
| All day | Art Exhibition Discover artworks from different schools—and create your own! |
| All day | Film: 80 Years of Encounters Experience the DAI through the personal stories of those who have visited, accompanied, and shaped us |
Stairwell
| All day | Wall of History Explore the evolution of our institution over the years. |
Across from Stadtpark
| 4:50–5:15 p.m. | Flash mob Join in and dance along! |
