Eight events from August to December offer culture in special locations
What began as a small idea is increasingly developing into a fixture in regional cultural life: After a successful start in the spring, “Paul’s Culture Dream” enters the second half of 2026 with a significantly expanded program.
The first three events were very well received, averaging around 70 attendees. This positive response has encouraged initiator Helmut Mersch to further expand the cultural program. The original plan to offer one event per month has since been extended. From August to December, eight cultural evenings are now on the schedule.
The program ranges from open-air street theater and a jazz summer night to literature and art, as well as theater, music, and dance. Planned events include a reading, an art opening, an evening with texts by Mascha Kaléko, theater performances at a dance school, an event about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and a Christmas dance theater performance to close out the year.
“Culture should bring people together, surprise them and bring them joy – sometimes prompting reflection and sometimes simply providing a pleasant evening,” says Helmut Mersch. “The fact that my dream has become a reality and that so many guests have embraced the cultural space from the very beginning makes me very happy and whets my appetite for more.”
Street theatre and jazz in the garden of the Geibel blacksmith's shop
The new program kicks off on Thursday, August 20th, at 8 p.m. with the "Just for Fun Express" in the garden of the Geibel blacksmith shop in Darmstadt-Eberstadt. This street theater format offers a mix of acrobatics, aerial artistry, juggling, shadow puppetry, and office comedy.
At the same location, an "Open Air Jazz Summer Night" will take place on Thursday, September 10th, at 7:30 pm. The evening will combine timeless jazz standards and soulful ballads with songs by artists such as Billy Joel and Sting.
The program will remain diverse in the coming months. New visitors are just as welcome as loyal regulars. After all, a cultural space thrives above all on the people who bring it to life.
An overview of the program at Paul's Kultur(t)raum
Thursday, August 20, 8 p.m.
“Just for Fun Express” – street theatre with acrobatics, aerial arts, juggling, shadow theatre and office comedy.
Location: Garden of the Geibel blacksmith shop
Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.
“Open Air Jazz Summer Night” – Jazz standards, ballads and songs by Billy Joel and Sting, among others.
Location: Garden of the Geibel blacksmith shop
Wednesday, September 30, 7:30 p.m.
“Trio Infernal” – The Darmstadt-based author trio PH Gruner, Alex Dreppec and Tom Wolff present their new book “Trio Infernal. Poems, Short Texts, Crossfire” at
the St. Josef Parish Hall.
Friday, October 9, 5 p.m.
Opening of the exhibition “Between Departure and Path” – The Eberstadt artist Ute Linden presents her works.
Location: Café Karin, Großer Hirschgraben 28, Frankfurt am Main
Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.
“Mascha Kaléko Evening” – The Sigrid Borchert Quartet presents musical settings of poems by the renowned lyricist.
Location: St. Josef Parish Hall
Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.
"The Dance Lesson" – Theater Curioso presents a romantic comedy followed by an opportunity to dance.
Location: Stroh Dance School, Heidelberger Landstraße 186a, Darmstadt-Eberstadt
Wednesday, November 25, 7:30 p.m.
“Dietrich Bonhoeffer Evening” – Filmmaker and author Hellmut Schlingensiepen reads from his book “Black Lives Matter 100 Years Ago”, accompanied by live music.
Location: St. Josef Parish Hall
Saturday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.
“Heaven on Earth” – Christmas play with dance and pantomime.
Location: St. Josef Parish Hall
Further information about the program, admission and ticket reservations can be found at www.pauls-kulturtraum.de.
(EBERSTADT – RED/PM)
