Open Day at 9/7/2014 © DBT

The Bundestag will open its doors to the public once again this year. On Sunday, 7 September 2014, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., interested visitors can gain an insight into day-to-day parliamentary life in the Reichstag Building, Paul Löbe Building and Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building in Berlin.

The Bundestag turns 65 – join the celebrations!

For the eleventh time now, on 7 September interested citizens can take a look behind the scenes at the German Bundestag. This year’s open day takes place on a very special date, since the German Bundestag met for its first constituent meeting on 7 September 1949. The Bundestag is turning 65, providing the public with a great opportunity to pay Parliament a visit.

As in previous years, the Bundestag will offer its guests a broad programme spanning politics, culture and entertainment. Each of the three Bundestag sites taking part – the Reichstag Building, Paul Löbe Building and Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building – has its own programme of events.

Vice-President of the German Bundestag Johannes Singhammer will start the proceedings at 9 a.m. at the Reichstag Building’s west portal. A tour of the Reichstag allows guests to experience the full spectrum of art, architecture and history offered by the Parliament building. The visitors’ galleries will play host to engaging presentations on the work of Parliament from Bundestag Vice-Presidents Claudia Roth (Alliance 90/The Greens), Edelgard Bulmahn (SPD), Petra Pau (The Left Party), Ulla Schmidt (SPD) and Johannes Singhammer (CDU/CSU), among others.

Talk with the parliamentary groups

On the parliamentary groups’ level above the plenary chamber, half way up to the dome, the four parliamentary groups in the Bundestag – CDU/CSU, SPD, The Left Party and Alliance 90/The Greens – are each represented with their own programme. Political issues can be discussed in face-to-face conversations and group talks with Members of the Bundestag.

A host of quizzes and games for young and old alike allow visitors to put their knowledge, stamina and skill to the test. The highlight of the Reichstag tour is the visit to the glass dome, with its breathtaking view across Berlin.

Insights into day-to-day parliamentary life

At the Paul Löbe Building, guests can take a look behind the scenes of parliamentary life. In the rooms where the committees usually meet, visitors have the opportunity to talk with politicians specialising in the different areas and take part in tours and presentations.

Also represented here is the Administration of the German Bundestag, which works in the background to ensure parliamentary affairs run smoothly. Learn about the work of the Research Services, the Bundestag police, the press, public relations and art divisions, among others. “Geheime Gärten” (“Secret Gardens”), a tour of artwork at the Bundestag, also starts here.

Talks in the Paul Löbe Building

All day, the specialised committees are offering visitors the chance to follow interesting panel discussions in the Paul Löbe Building, featuring current issues such as rent prices and forms of nursing care provision, “mothers’ pensions” and the women’s quota, EU enlargement policy, and a sustainable long-term development strategy.

This year, for the first time, tours of the Europasaal conference room will also be given. Younger visitors to the Bundestag have their own special children’s area with a clown, games and entertainment. Music to suit every taste, be it classical, jazz, rock or a-cappella, will be provided by bands across a number of stages.

Following in history’s footsteps

The bridge across the Spree leads visitors to the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building, home to the Library of the German Bundestag, one of the largest parliamentary libraries in the world. This particular Sunday, as an exception, it will open its doors to the public.

Tours will be provided of the library’s bookstacks, as well as the parliamentary and press archives, with their wealth of treasures from the Federal Republic’s infancy. Also worth a visit is the Berlin Wall Memorial, in remembrance of those who died while attempting to escape from East to West Berlin during the GDR years. (rey/06.08.2014)