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The Hessentag in Fulda started the new week after a successful opening weekend. The big topic on Monday: inclusion. You can read the most important news here.

+++ 5:56 p.m.: The fourth day of Hessentag is coming to an end. A lot of things today – on Inclusion Day – revolved around the topic of participation. A new playground was also inaugurated and numerous young athletes were honored. And at our FZ talk, farmer Franz Habersack created a good atmosphere.

The evening concludes with the “Summer Night of Pop Stars” with Giovanni Zarrella and Melissa Naschenweng on Cathedral Square. The news ticker ends at this point. Tomorrow morning we'll be back on the homepage as usual with our editorial tip and accompany day five of the Hessentag – the halfway point is approaching. Enjoy the evening!

The city of Fulda honors 115 young athletes at the Hessentag

+++ 5:41 p.m.: A highlight for young athletes was on the program in the afternoon: 115 children and young people up to the age of 16 were honored on the Lotto Hessen stage.

The honor is given to athletes and teams who started for a Fulda club and achieved certain placements at Hessian, South German, German, European and World Championships – from Hesse championship titles to podium places in national competitions to top six results at international level.

+++ 5:26 p.m.: The family land in the Fulda-Aue has developed into a contact point for children and families during Hessentag. On Monday, June 15th, Mayor Dag Wehner (CDU) visited the facility and, according to a statement from the city of Fulda, was impressed by the games on offer and the number of visitors.

Mayor Wehner impressed by family land

The conception, planning and organization of the family land was entirely the responsibility of the city of Fulda; the Office for Youth, Family and Seniors is responsible, supported by the Cultural Office. Numerous clubs, independent organizations and volunteers – including Kolping, the Spielwiese association and the Fulda Children's Academy – bring the project to life.

“The Family Land shows how much is possible in Fulda when the city administration, clubs, independent organizations and volunteers pull together. A place has been created here where children can play, discover and be creative and families can spend time together,” emphasized Wehner.

State Secretary opens new playground in Fulda

+++ 4:51 p.m.: After a skate park and a pump track were opened in the Fulda floodplains, near the fire department museum, in June 2025, an adjacent playground was inaugurated this afternoon as part of Hessentag.

Children from the Zitrone children's club in Fulda helped with the planning and worked diligently, as did trainees from Edag and RhönEnergie. The playground consists of several wooden beams and platforms for balancing.

The construction was funded by the state of Hesse. State Secretary Michael Ruhl presented the corresponding funding certificate on behalf of State Minister Ingmar Jung (both CDU). “The Prime Minister always says so well: Hessentag lasts ten days, but lasts ten years. We want to leave something lasting in every Hessentag town,” said Ruhl, before he cut the symbolic ribbon with city planning officer Daniel Schreiner (independent) and released the equipment for the children present to play.

Large mural at the fire department museum

+++ 3:16 p.m.: There are several eye-catchers in the floodplains. One of the highlights for many visitors will be the Bundeswehr's Tornado fighter plane. Visitors can even take a seat in the jet and take a close look at the cockpit.

But art also arouses curiosity: a large mural has been created at the fire department museum – on the side of the skate park. The internationally known urban artist HERA (Jasmin Siddiqui) designed a large mural over four days. For Ingmar Süß, organizer of the campaign, the reference to Hesse and the fire brigade was important – and HERA implemented this: The picture shows a girl in fire brigade uniform, wearing a lion as a hat, which symbolizes Hesse. Next to her is the saying: “The really strong are also really patient.”

FZ talk with Franz Habersack

+++ 2:24 p.m.: Despite the cloudy weather, there is a lot of activity on the Hessentag grounds in Fulda. The special focal point in the afternoon is the FZ Talk. This time the well-known comedian and author Michael Bleuel (Franz Habersack) took a seat on the blue couch of our newspaper. His conversation with FZ reporter Anja Trapp attracted numerous interested parties.

+++ 11.35 a.m.: The city of Fulda and the Hessian State Chancellery have drawn an initial interim conclusion after the opening weekend: 380,000 people visited Hessentag on the first three days.

How do restrictions feel?

Even at the start of the week, despite the changeable weather, there is already activity in some areas of the festival grounds. In the Auen, some visitors test the interactive offers as part of the Inclusion Day. Those interested can put on a depression umbrella, which is intended to visually simulate how isolated you are when you are depressed and how you see the world. Or a glove that simulates a tremor. There is also a wheelchair parkour.

Meanwhile, the inclusive choir Vierklang from Hephata Diakonie performed on the sky stage. And well-known songs were performed in German sign language.

+++ 10.47 a.m.: The German Weather Service in Offenbach expects variable cloudiness in Hesse today Weather with maximum temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees. It might rain occasionally. Tuesday is expected to start similarly (partly cloudy, occasional rain). Local thunderstorms with heavy rain and stiff gusts could be possible in the afternoon.

The Hessentag in Fulda is all about inclusion

+++ 10.42 a.m.: The police also drew a positive conclusion after the third day of the event, i.e. after yesterday, Sunday. The good weather and the numerous events attracted many visitors to the festival grounds. “In an exuberant and almost peaceful atmosphere, the day of operations for the police was generally quiet,” it said.

Over the course of Sunday it only happened individual event-typical occasions, such as on Saturday. The police emphasized the friendly atmosphere. Even though there have been no reported thefts yet, police recommend paying particular attention when handling wallets, cell phones and other valuables.

Update from June 15th, 10:28 a.m.: The seniors' experience dance on the Hessenbühne is very popular. 40 people dance together. Not only seniors, but also teenagers and children take part. While the moderator indicates the next steps, the participants move in a circle and hold hands. There is a lot of laughter and spectators clap in time to the music.

First report from June 15th, 9:01 a.m.:

Fulda – Editor Linda Scherdin recommends a trip to the Fulda stadium today: In keeping with the “Day of Inclusion”, sport on Monday (June 15th) is all about community, respect and fairness. At the Fulda Cup, students from Fulda and people with disabilities compete against each other in inclusive soccer teams.

The organizer of the Fulda Cup is the association “Everyone is different – ​​Inclusion Sport Fulda”, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. More than 20 teams are expected. The tournament is supported by the SG Barockstadt Fulda-Lehnerz, whose players accompany the teams.

The special thing about the inclusive football tournament: It is not the most goals that decide the victory – unlike for example on Sunday at the German national team's first game at the World Cup. Instead, fair play referees evaluate respectful interactions on the pitch. The fairest team can look forward to tickets for an Eintracht Frankfurt game.

The game is played with Fairtrade balls. In addition, a colorful supporting program with opportunities to participate awaits visitors. The welcome begins at 9:30 a.m., kick-off takes place at 10 a.m. And speaking of sport: from 4.30 p.m. on the stage at the environmental center as part of the Hesse day This year's sports awards ceremony for the city of Fulda took place.

Video: Hessentag in Fulda – this is what visitors can expect

Various other program items await visitors after an eventful first Hessentag weekend also on Monday. Among other things, Franz Habersack visits the FZ Talk at the stand of the Parzeller media group. In conversation with editor Andreas Ungermann, it will probably be about, among other things the Rhön comedian's first musical role in the play “The Almighty Handkäs”..

Puppeteer Andreas Wahler will be appearing at the Hessentag in the Severikirche on Monday morning. And in the evening worries in the Cathedral Square Arena Giovanni Zarrella and Melissa Naschenweng with the “Summer Night of Pop Stars” to put visitors in a good mood. Tickets are still available at the box office, with prices ranging from 85 euros (standing) to 103 euros (seated).