2013 provides an excellent reason to visit the fine old city of Halle in Germany to celebrate the 350th birthday of August Hermann Francke (1663-1727). Few men had as much influence on the infant United States of America, yet this German philanthropist never set foot on North American soil. 300 years on, the legacy of this Lutheran clergyman is Halle's impressive and important Francke Foundations (www.francke-halle.de).

Unusually for its time, this combination of orphanage, school and college, two hours south-west of Berlin, was also a center of scientific, agricultural and economic learning. Imbued with Francke's Pietist spirit, alumni traveled the world as Pietist missionaries, always taking with them the latest progressive ideas.

In North America, especially in Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, pastors from the Francke Foundation arrived to look after German-speaking Protestant settlers. The most famous was Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who was sent to America in 1742. Along the Eastern Seaboard, Muhlenberg brought the Lutheran communities together and is now recognized as the father of American Lutheranism.

To mark Francke's 350th anniversary, the Foundations are mounting "Changing the World", a special exhibition devoted to Francke's world in 1700. Running from 24th March to 21st July, the show investigates for the first time the question of what inspired Francke. Set in 18th-century Protestant buildings that still hum with students, the exhibition takes visitors back 300 years, to the threshold of the Age of Enlightenment. Find out about Francke's faith and knowledge, as well as his ability to teach and communicate. His philosophy influenced world leaders, from Prussian and Danish kings to the Russian tsar Peter the Great.

The Francke Foundations, which will hopefully soon be added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, has so much more to see, from the largest half-timbered building in Europe and the oldest library building in Germany to the fascinating Baroque "Cabinet of Artefacts and Curiosities". Reckoned to be the oldest museum in Germany (1741), this collection was assembled for teaching purposes back in the 18th century. Students still marvel at the wonders brought from all over the world: fossils and embryos of crocodiles, a carved ostrich egg and, from Greenland, the oldest kayak in Europe!

"CHANGING THE WORLD"            24th March to 21st July 2013

Assessing August Hermann Francke's life and work in his 350th anniversary year

In the Historical Orphanage, Francke Foundations, Halle (Saale), Germany

Guided tours in English are available by request in advance.

www.francke-halle.de



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