"Frei/heit - Free\dom: Frankfurt-Philadelphia"
A Public Mural Project
While diplomatic partnerships are often marked by formal ceremonies and policy exchanges, this initiative left an indelible, physical mark in Europe. Students from Philadelphia and Frankfurt, alongside mural artists from both cities, co-created a public mural, turning a civic partnership into tangible art for thousands of people to see and engage with annually. Read on below to learn about the project and follow our student stories.
Program Model:
Special Project, Artist and Youth Exchange
Location:
Project Dates:
Click a Section Below
May 2026-September 2026
*Coming Soon
Project Dates:
ABOUT OUR SISTER CITY
FRANKFURT,
GERMANY
Est. July 16, 2015
Frankfurt, the financial capital of Europe and the proud home of the European Central Bank, epitomizes economic prowess and innovation. Diverse sectors, including IT, biotech, logistics, and the creative industry, contribute to its dynamic landscape. This German city has held trade fairs since 1240 and currently hosts over 30 industry trade shows. Frankfurt’s famous St. Paul’s church is where elected representatives drew up the first German constitution from 1848 onwards, making it the birthplace of Germany Democracy.
ABOUT THE MURAL
"Frei/heit - Free\dom: Frankfurt-Philadelphia"
English translation:
This mural was created as part of the city partnership between Frankfurt am Main and Philadelphia.
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The mural connects the democratic histories of both cities and explores themes of freedom, participation, and responsibility for democracy.
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At its centre is the motif of Henriette Zobel’s umbrella, a symbol associated with Frankfurt’s democratic movement of 1848. The incomplete umbrella on the exterior wall continues inside as a broken handle, connecting the two wall surfaces to form one shared work. Abstract lines flow across the mural, interweaving key statements from the German Basic Law and the U.S. Constitution to unite the declarations: “The freedom of the person shall be inviolable” and “We the People.”
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The design was developed in joint workshops by students from Frankfurt and Philadelphia together with artists Joseph lacona (Philadelphia) and Case Maclaim (Frankfurt). The ideas and perspectives of the youth participants were directly incorporated into the artistic design.
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The City of Frankfut am Main and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia accompanied and supported the project from its conception through its realization.
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In May 2026, an artistic workshop incorporating historical and civic education took place, giving the students and artists an opportunity to explore Frankfurt’s democratic history and its connections to Philadelphia.
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Further partners included the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt), Foundation for the Sites of German Democracy, NaxosAtelier and the U.S. Consulate General.
German translation:
Dieses Mural entstand im Rahmen der Stadtepartnerschaft zwischen Frankfurt am Main und Philadelphia.
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Das Werk verbindet die demokratischen Geschichten beider Stadte und setzt sich mit Freiheit, Beteiligung und der Verantwortung fur Demokratie auseinander.
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Im Mittelpunkt steht das Motiv des Regenschirms von Henriette Zobel, einer Symbolfigur der Frankfurter Demokratiebewegung von 1848. Der unvollstandige Schirm auf der AuBenwand setzt sich im lnneren als zerbrochener Griff fort und verbindet beide Wandflachen zu einem gemeinsamen Werk. Abstrakte Linien ziehen sich Ober das Wandbild und verweben zentrale Aussagen des deutschen Grundgesetzes und der US-Verfassung, um die Botschaften ,,Die WOrde des Menschen ist unantastbar” und ,,We the People” miteinander zu verbinden.
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Das Design wurde in gemeinsamen Workshops von Schulerinnen und SchOlern aus Frankfurt und Philadelphia zusammen mit den KOnstlern Joseph lacona (Philadelphia) und Case Maclaim (Frankfurt) entwickelt. Die ldeen und Perspektiven der Jugendlichen flossen unmittelbar in die Gestaltung ein.
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Die Stadt Frankfurt am Main und der World Affairs Council of Philadelphia begleiteten und unterstOtzten die Umsetzung des Projekts von der Konzeption bis zur Realisierung.
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Im Mai 2026 fand ein kOnstlerischer Workshop
mit historischer und demokratiepolitischer Vermittlung statt, bei dem sich die Jugendlichen und KOnstler mit der demokratischen Geschichte Frankfurts und ihren Verbindungen zu Philadelphia auseinandersetzten.
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Weitere Partner waren die Volkshochschule Frankfurt am Main, Stiftung Orte der deutschen Demokratiegeschichte, NaxosAtelier und das USÂGeneralkonsulat.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
March 2025
In May 2025, a delegation of nearly 40 people, including Lord Mayor Mike Josef, Deputy Mayor Eileen O’Sullivan, and members of the City Parliament visited Philadelphia to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Philadelphia and Frankfurt. During their time in Philadelphia, they met with members of the arts and culture community, including Philadelphia mural artist Joseph Iacona. From there, the idea of a shared public mural began.
Photos: (c)Stadt Frankfurt am Main, RIA
September 2025
In September 2025, Philadelphia then sent a delegation to Frankfurt to celebrate the 10th Anniversary. In addition to celebrating German American Friendship Day, inaugurating a Frankfurt-Philadelphia subway car, and meeting with partners once again, conversations around cultural exchange and collaboration continued.
Photos: (c)Stadt Frankfurt am Main, RIA
May 2026
In May 2026, students in Frankfurt, Germany participated in a week-long series of workshops at the NaxosAtelier alongside artists Joseph Iacona from Philadelphia and Case Maclaim from Frankfurt. Their participation laid the groundwork for the final mural concepts and design.
Photos: (c)Stadt Frankfurt am Main, RIA
June-September 2026
Philadelphia students at Science Leadership Academy then worked with Joseph Iacona during workshops held throughout June, August, and September 2026 to begin painting portions of the mural on mural cloth. These students would then go on to travel to Frankfurt in a high-school youth exchange with their peers at Gymnasium Riedberg, a high school in Frankfurt.
Photos: (c)World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
Student Stories & Interviews
Coming Soon
Sponsors & Partners
PROJECT LEAD FUNDER for PHILADELPHIA
PROJECT SUPPORTING SPONSOR for PHILADELPHIA
FRIENDS OF THE FRANKFURT-PHILADELPHIA MURAL PROJECT
Anonymous
Thomas Fraehmke
Taddeo von Gleichen
Susan M. Long and Andrew J. Szabo
Mitch and Beth Sargen
