Community gatherings in Offenbach and Hanau, featuring cultural exchanges, generate significant interest

The Southeast Hessian Police Headquarters recently hosted a series of Intercultural Evenings as part of the nationwide "Intercultural Week". These events, which took place in Offenbach and Hanau, proved to be a successful model of preventive work, attracting over 100 guests each.

The next Intercultural Evening event will take place on September 1, 2025, at Luxor Filmpalast as part of the Intercultural Week 2025. The event includes a screening of "Walter Kaufmann - Welch ein Leben" followed by a discussion with the director.

The Intercultural Evenings, initiated by the Prevention Department of the South East Hesse Police Headquarters under the motto "New Spaces", aim to create encounters, strengthen trust, and shape the future together. They offer an opportunity to address current societal issues in an open dialogue at eye level and to convey preventive measures.

The events have been well-attended by a diverse range of guests, including representatives from foreigner advisory boards, integration offices, migration counseling centers, religious communities, and migrant self-organizations. The South East Hesse Police Headquarters serves a diverse and international catchment area.

At the events, guests were warmly welcomed by Police Commissioners Abdullah Yigit, Ioannis Michos, and Police Senior Commissioner Thomas Stenger. Semra Kanisicak, head of the Integration Department at the Dietzenbach County Administration, led the evening, while Marc Sachs, head of the Prevention Department, emphasized the importance of these events for prevention work.

After the welcome by Marc Sachs, Daniel Muth, police president of the South East Hesse Police Headquarters, and Dr. Maximilian Bieri, mayor of Hanau, addressed the guests. The 2024 Intercultural Evening took place at the South East Hesse Police Headquarters in Offenbach, while the event in Hanau took place in cooperation with the city at the Kulturhalle Hanau-Steinheim.

Prof. Dr. Erdemir gave a keynote speech on the role of the Hesse Media Authority at the 2024 Intercultural Evening. Sophia Christen, an employee of the Prevention Department, led the evening.

The Press Office for the Police Headquarters Southeast Hesse can be contacted at [email protected]. More information about the Southeast Hessian Police Headquarters can be found on their website at http://www.polizei.hessen.de/ppsoh.

The increased number of participants at both events underscores the relevance of the dialogue between the police and civil society. The Intercultural Evenings have proven to be an effective way to foster understanding, trust, and collaboration between different communities. The next event, on September 1, 2025, promises to continue this important tradition.