Open Day at the Bundestag on 9 September

On Sunday, 9 September 2018, the German Bundestag opens its doors to visitors. At the parliament’s Open Day, visitors can meet Members of the Bundestag at their place of work in Berlin and find out about how Parliament works and about a typical working day for Members and for the Bundestag’s Administration. The Bundestag is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with last admission at 6 p.m. Entry is free of charge.

Wolfgang Schäuble to open the day’s events

Bundestag President Dr Wolfgang Schäuble will officially open the day’s events at 9.30 a.m. outside the plenary chamber in the Reichstag Building. “We invite you to gain insights, explore the rooms in which the Members work, and that you might know from television. Enjoy the outlooks and the views across the government district, and soak up the atmosphere in the plenary chamber under the glass dome – this is where the heart of democracy beats”, Schäuble writes in his welcome message.

Visitors are guided through the Reichstag Building using a one-way route; access is not possible to the other buildings from here. It is therefore recommended that visitors start their tour in Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building, continuing through the Paul Löbe Building and finishing in the Reichstag Building. Three entrances are available: the main entrance to the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building on Adele Schreiber-Krieger Straße, the main entrance to the Paul Löbe Building on Konrad Adenauer Straße and the main entrance to the Reichstag Building on Platz der Republik.

Any items brought such as jackets and bags will be subject to an X-ray check at the entrances. Another security check may be required when moving from one building to another. Visitors are not permitted to carry any dangerous items. Smoking is not permitted in the buildings.

A visit to the roof terrace and dome

On the plenary level in the Reichstag Building visitors can look into the plenary chamber and visit the Members’ Lobby, the Reflection and Prayer Room and the Reference Library. Presentation stands featuring the Parliamentary Documentation Division and the Plenary Assistance Service are located on this level, along with a photo area, while the jazz combo “Sweet Peanuts” will be playing in the cafeteria from 10 a.m. – 3.30 p.m., followed by the swing quartet “Chat noir” from 4 – 6 p.m. Guests also have the opportunity to visit the roof terrace and the dome.

The six parliamentary groups in the German Bundestag are represented on their level of the Reichstag Building. In the Paul Löbe Building, visitors can learn about the Bundestag’s Public Relations Division, the Press and Communication section, the parliamentary committees (including the Petitions Committee), the European Affairs and International Relations Directorates, the Police and Security Division and the Research Services.

Children’s programme and Götze exhibition

In the events foyer of the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders Building there is “Art under Construction” for children between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. In this open workshop, children have the opportunity to create their own messages and make their artistic mark. The children’s area in the Paul Löbe Building has face painting, arts and crafts, along with a play area and, of course, Karlchen Adler. A clown will also make an appearance.

The Bundestag’s current exhibition “Moritz Götze – Laurels for Schadow” will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. The exhibition is located in the side wing of the Schadow Building at Schadowstraße 12-13 in Mitte. Admission is free of charge.