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This year, HLSB Fulda is placing a particular focus on democracy. As a central meeting place and ‘third place’, we support dialogue, diversity and community. We are committed to an open society based on free access to knowledge, which supports people in forming their own well-informed opinions. We support exchange and mutual respect. On the topic of democracy, we are offering a wide range of different activities and courses this year.
Until the end of August, the HLSB Fulda is hosting a pop-up exhibition at its Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz location, on the first-floor gallery, dedicated to the topic of democracy in comics and graphic novels.
From its origins in ancient Greece through medieval elective monarchy, parliamentarism, the Nazi era and post-war Germany, the development of democracy is illustrated through visual access using a selection of books. The exhibition also features titles from our stock on topics such as the Middle East conflict, the war in Ukraine, fake news, AI and social criticism. We invite you to embark on a journey of discovery and to explore the topic of democracy anew through comics and graphic novels.
From 25 June to 23 July at the campus location and from 24 July to 21 August at the Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz location, HLSB Fulda is hosting the exhibition ‘Free Media – Free People’. “This has to go – it doesn’t belong here! (?)”.
Eight informative and striking exhibits explore the topics of censorship, courage and the law regarding free speech.
The exhibition opened on Thursday 25 June with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr Karim Khakzar (president of Fulda University of Applied Sciences), Jan Weckler (Chair of the Hesse Regional Association of the dbv / District Administrator of the Wetterau district), Berthold Weiß (Library Director, HLSB Fulda) and a keynote speech on “Book Bans and Censorship” by Prof. Dr Nikola Roßbach (University of Kassel).
The exhibition is a project of the Hessian Regional Association of the German Library Association (dbv) and the Hessian Centre for Public Libraries, and can be borrowed from there.
From 24 July to 21 August, the HLSB Fulda is hosting the exhibition ‘Book Burning’ by the Year 12 art class of the vocational secondary school at the Konrad-Zuse-Schule in Hünfeld, at its Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz location.
The exhibition comprises 14 photographs by the pupils, who wish to promote a culture of remembrance, freedom of expression and the responsible treatment of literature, and will be on display in the children’s and young people’s section in the basement during the regular opening times.
This historical drama highlights the tireless struggle of the lawyer Elisabeth Selbert, who, in 1948, succeeded in enshrining equality in the Basic Law despite enormous opposition.
In the midst of a post-war society shaped by conservative gender roles, the SPD MP fought tenaciously for the decisive phrase: ‘Men and women have equal rights.’ The film paints a compelling portrait of one of the four ‘Mothers of the Basic Law’ and illustrates that democratic laws often had to be painstakingly fought for against the spirit of the times.
This and other films are available free of charge to all HLSB users via the filmfriend platform.
Wednesday, 25 November, 3.00–4.00 pmWe’ll be showing the picture book film *‘Being in Charge – How Elvis Invented Democracy’* and reading the story aloud. This will be followed by a hands-on activity on the topic of democracy.For children (recommended for ages 4 and over)
The course will take place at Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz in the children’s and youth area.
Free of charge registration via Eveeno is required.
Presentation by Dr Kerstin Wolff, AddF – Archives of the German Women’s Movement, on the origins of Article 3(2) of the Basic Law
21 May 2026, 4.00 pm
University, State and Public Library (location on Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz)
It seems so self-evident today: when the Basic Law came into force in May 1949, gender equality was enshrined in Article 3(2). “Men and women have equal rights.” A simple yet highly effective sentence that was to have a sustainable impact on developments in the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal Republic owes its progress in this regard to a woman from Kassel: the SPD politician and lawyer Elisabeth Selbert. This presentation will outline her struggle to secure this article, answer the question of where the wording came from, and shed light on whether this was – as is now frequently claimed – a battle waged by women against men.
Link for registration on Eveeno: https://eveeno.com/178811821
On 23 May 2026, the Basic Law will be 77 years old. A special day of celebration is planned to mark the occasion across the country.
Fulda University of Applied Sciences is organising numerous events over a two-week period under the motto ‘Democracy needs commitment – every day’ (see program).
Our library is also taking part: at both our locations (the campus and Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz), we are putting together themed book displays focusing on the Basic Law, the Parliamentary Council, the origins of the Basic Law, and members of the Parliamentary Council, with a special focus on the ‘Mothers of the Basic Law’.
Do pop in, have a browse and take away some inspiration for conversations, university studies, Learning and Teaching, and everyday life.
At a time when misinformation is becoming increasingly widespread, it is becoming ever more important to recognise fake academic content and understand how to counter it. What are the consequences of fake academic information? Are there any warning signs you should be aware of? We’ll provide you with some tips – short and sweet in 30 minutes. • Tuesday, 5 May, 1.00–1.30 pm, readers' cafe at the campus location• Wednesday, 6 May, 9.30 am – 10.00 am, online (Go to the online room in BigBlueButton)• Thursday, 7 May, 12.00 pm – 12.30 pm, readers' cafe at the campus location• Friday, 8 May, 3.00–3.30 pm, online (Go to the online room on BigBlueButton)No registration is required for any of these events. Just pop in whenever you like. Coffee will, of course, be provided.
On Thursday 9 April, from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm,the ‘Grandmas Against the Far Right’ will be reading from the picture book *Elections in the Jungle* to choose who will be elected. We’ll be talking about how elections work and, just like the animals in the book, we’ll be managing our own election. For children (recommended for ages 5 and over).The courses will take place at the Fulda Galerie Library (Paul-Klee-Straße 47, 26041 Fulda) .
Free of charge registration via Eventoo is required.
Democracy cannot be taken for granted – it has been fought for, defended and renegotiated time and again.Our thematic display highlights turning points, crises and successes in democracy in Germany and beyond.Discover books about the people, ideas and institutions that made democracy possible and continue to do so today.
Location: Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz
The “Grandmums Against the Far Right”• will be reading from the picture book *Ich bin für mich – Der Wahlkampf der Tiere* on Thursday 19 March, 3.00–4.00 pm . Afterwards, you can design your own election posters. For children (recommended for ages 5 and over).The courses will take place at the Fulda Galerie Library (Paul-Klee-Straße 47, 26041 Fulda) .
In February and March 2026, the HLSB Fulda will be offering new study programmes. Using the ‘Lokal-o-mat’ – much like the well-known ‘Wahl-O-Mat’ – you can find out about the political positions of the parties standing for election in the 2026 local elections in Fulda.Technical equipment and accompanying information materials will be available at HLSB locations so that you can try out the offer at your leisure. Alternatively, you can access the offer provided by the Hessian State Agency for Political Education and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) via your own device using the link below.
On Sunday 15 March, local elections will take place in Hesse. These elections feature a number of special provisions that give voters additional opportunities to influence the outcome: cumulative voting and split voting. This will be explained at a course organised by the VHS Stadt Fulda in cooperation with the HLSB on Friday 13 February at 5.30 pm at the Fulda Galerie branch. The course will also explore the opportunities and limitations of local politics. All those eligible to vote are invited.
Strengthening democracy through open access
dbv Regional Association of Hesse
