• The former streetcar depot has an eventful history and is now a socio-cultural meeting place that characterizes the entire district.
• The big anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, September 14, from 1 to 5 pm.
• The program includes talks with contemporary witnesses, panel discussions on the topic of mobility, open doors with a wide range of activities throughout the building and a special exhibition on the history of the depot.

The depot in Talstraße is celebrating its 100th anniversary. On Sunday, September 14, the city of Aachen will open the doors of the historic building from 1 pm. Under the motto "Coming together", everyone is cordially invited to celebrate the history and future of the depot.

From streetcar depot to social and cultural meeting place

What began as a streetcar depot in 1925 is now a vibrant place of urban life. Many people still fondly remember the time when the depot was used to repair streetcars. Even after the extensive renovations, the industrial charm of the building reflects these stories and allows conclusions to be drawn about its former use. In the meantime, the depot has developed into an important social and cultural meeting place that shapes the district and the entire city. History and the present come together here - as do the people who shape it.

"We are really proud that we can now celebrate 100 years of the Depot, because this building has such a great history," says Rolf Frankenberger, Head of the Housing, Social Affairs and Integration Department. The current, diverse tenants from the fields of art, culture, education, children's and youth work ensure that the depot is still an important hub for Aachen today - in socio-cultural terms. "We wanted to create a place that enables people to come together in a low-threshold way, with events from the neighborhood and for the neighborhood."

"Open house concept" with many offers for the anniversary

The diverse history and current offerings of the depot's resident institutions can be discovered on September 14 in the Piazza and during a look behind the scenes of the building. Together with numerous cooperation partners and the current organizations in the building, a large anniversary celebration will be held in the "open house concept", where the doors will be opened wide and visitors will get a rare glimpse behind the scenes.

In the Piazza, an exhibition takes you through various stages of the depot's history. Let yourself be inspired by historical photos, exciting background information and little surprises in the history of the depot. From 1.30 pm, contemporary witnesses will talk about their personal experiences and special moments at the depot. The diverse uses of the building still characterize it today.

Panel discussion: Mobility then and now

Afterwards, from 2.30 p.m., a lot will be reported on current developments in urban mobility in Aachen in the special ambience of the former streetcar depot. Among others, Uwe Müller (Head of the Mobility and Transport Department of the City of Aachen), Michael Carmincke (ASEAG Board Member) and mobility consultant Dr. Juliane Bielinski will be on the podium.

The team at the depot has really gone all out for the big anniversary and is looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors. "We invite you to immerse yourself in the history of the building and get to know the various uses and institutions. With our stage programme and the participating organizations, we are building a bridge from the beginnings of the building as a streetcar depot and an important location for mobility back then to today's socio-cultural center and the mobility of today," says Barbara Teschner, Head of the Nadelfabrik and Depot.

At various information stands on the piazza, visitors will gain an insight into who contributed to the development of the depot and what the former streetcar depot means today in the Aachen-Nord district.

Exploring the historic industrial building

September 14 is also "Open Monument Day". In keeping with this, there will be an "Open House". Explore the historic industrial building and discover the organizations that are located there today.

From art participation offers at Atelierhaus Aachen, to Qigong and first aid taster courses at the German Red Cross, picture book cinema and programming course at the district library, ice cream and games at the Talstraße open door, insights into manual professions at the youth vocational aid, workshop offers at Kunst im Viertel, goal wall shooting at the Kinderschutzbund and a traffic parkour on the forecourt, there is something for young and old to experience and discover. You can linger over coffee and cake in the bistro area. Admission to the entire event is free.