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Heinerfest in Darmstadt: City guide DeMeehl combines humor and history!
Aurora DeMeehl leads a humorous city tour at the Heinerfest 2025 in Darmstadt, which has historical roots.
Heinerfest in Darmstadt: City guide DeMeehl combines humor and history!
On July 7, 2025, the city's largest festival, the Heinerfest, will be in full swing in Darmstadt. Aurora DeMeehl, known for her humorous style, leads a “semi-serious” city tour on Saturday lunchtime. With a lot of humor and charm, she warns the 20 participants at Luisenplatz not to take the tour too seriously. It will be an exciting walk through the history of the city, which fought its way back after the devastating fire on September 11, 1944 - a topic that is still anchored in the hearts of Darmstadt residents today.
That night, when the Royal Air Force reduced the city center to rubble in a targeted airstrike, 11,500 people died and 66,000 were left homeless. This attack resulted in a devastating firestorm that raged within an hour and destroyed 99% of the old town. In the decades that followed, the Heinerfest was created to give survivors and evacuees an opportunity to find their way back to the city and find new hope. The first festival took place in 1951 on the rubble of the destroyed city and included wine from the market fountain - a symbol of new beginnings.
Tradition and meaning of the Heinerfest
The Heinerfest has now become an integral part of Darmstadt's culture. This year marks the 75th anniversary and there are over 130 events attracting more than 200 performers. Every year the festival is characterized by the idea of celebrating together and friendship, which is particularly important in this city, which was rebuilt after the Second World War. The celebrations will conclude on Monday at 10:30 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks display from the roof of the Darmstadion.
The city tour with Aurora DeMeehl also looks at historical figures. She talks about Landgrave Ernst Ludwig, who once tried to expand Darmstadt but struggled with financial difficulties. His vision led to an 80-year shell of the residential palace. On the other hand, Jakob Mengler, also known as the “Donald Trump of Darmstadt”, is mentioned. He drove forward the construction of the now iconic Luisencenter, whose properties later went bankrupt. DeMeehl uses her humor to bring the curiosities of the city's history to life.
The city guide particularly emphasizes Darmstadt's tolerance. She emphasizes that in over 30 years of openly gay life here, she has rarely experienced discrimination. With 17 sister cities, including San Antonio, Texas, Darmstadt demonstrates a commitment to being a diverse and welcoming community. It will be an unforgettable experience for those taking part in the city tour, and for DeMeehl herself a heartfelt look back on her time in this lively city.
The Heinerfest not only symbolizes the return to normality after so many terrible things have happened, but also stands for the strength of community. This year, at the 75th festival, it becomes clear how important this tradition is for the people of Darmstadt. As DeMeehl says, “We need to know where we come from in order to appreciate what we have.”