Exhibition II at CUBITY Atelier House
The second exhibition in the anniversary series “Merzenich Associations – Faces and Stories” has been on display at the CUBITY Atelier House since June 1, 2025, and will run until July 13. It sheds light on local associations as a reflection of 800 years of village history. The overall project was conceived by Inga Mehlert Garms, who, as part of the program “Exploring, Recognizing, Experiencing History,” secured, curated, and transformed the historical material into a clearly structured narrative. Selected exhibits, archival photographs, and eyewitness accounts highlight how tradition, volunteer work, and future-oriented thinking come together in Merzenich.
“The history of our town is the foundation on which we build tomorrow. Knowing it allows us to shape change with confidence.”
Georg Gelhausen, Mayor of Merzenich
Sixteen Associations, One Strong Community
At the heart of the exhibition are sixteen Merzenich associations, whose exhibits collectively showcase the wide spectrum of local civic engagement. Notable examples include the St. Sebastianus Schützenbruderschaft Merzenich, whose roots reach back before 1531 and which continues its traditional bird shooting today with a digital air rifle range; the breakfast club “Miteinander & Füreinander e.V.” (“Together & For Each Other”), which has been bringing generations together around a shared table since 2008, demonstrating how low-threshold initiatives create social networks; as well as the 1. FC Köln Fanclub Merzenich 1967, the oldest “Effzeh” fan club outside of Cologne, which illustrates the emotional power of sports through photos, carnival floats, and trophies, and is already preparing for its 60th anniversary in 2027.
Wildflowers and vegetable plants from the Merzenich Allotment Association e.V., arranged in front of the entrance to the CUBITY Atelier House.
“Association work is democracy in action on a small scale: decisions are made together, responsibilities are shared, and in the end, community is created.”
Inga Mehlert‑Garms, Project Manager & Curator
The Atelier House as a Living History Book
A photograph of the “Schützengesellschaft Merzenich” (Merzenich Rifle Association) from 1897.
The foundation is pleased that not only is the 800th anniversary celebration taking place within its walls, but that the Atelierhaus itself has become a chapter in Merzenich’s history. At the same time, the foundation sees the building as an open place where participatory, forward-looking ideas can grow from the heart of democracy – a mindset that the Merzenich associations embody impressively.
Looking Ahead: Exhibition III
While the current exhibition is running, the curatorial board is already working on Exhibition III, which will take place from October 26 to December 7, 2025, under the title “Endangered Homeland – Merzenich and National Socialism.” This upcoming presentation will focus on the experiences of the community during the time of the “Third Reich” and ask how a culture of remembrance must be shaped today to safeguard democracy and human dignity. Interested associations, families, and individuals with direct eyewitness accounts are invited to submit additional historical material to CUBITY by the end of July.