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75th anniversary festival: The Hesselbachs are coming to life!
Friedberg is celebrating the Hesselbachs' 75th anniversary with a festival from October 10th to 12th, 2025 in the Altes Hallenbad Theater.
75th anniversary festival: The Hesselbachs are coming to life!
On October 3, 2025, a very special event will take place at the Altes Hallenbad Theater in Friedberg. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the cult “Hesselbach” family, actor Jo van Nelsen has organized a festival that is an absolute must for fans of Wolf Schmidt and his legendary series. This event is intended not only to celebrate the history of the Hesselbachs, but also to promote connections between young and old. For a long time the figures were considered out of fashion, but the festival shows that the Hesselbachs are by no means forgotten. This is reported by the FNP.
Wolf Schmidt, who was born in Friedberg on February 19, 1913 and died in 1977, is considered the creator of this cult figure. His works not only captured the hearts of viewers, but also shaped German television and radio for decades. Schmidt was a real all-rounder - journalist, cabaret artist, author and, last but not least, the leading actor in the brilliant series “The Hesselbachs” and the associated films. His experiences and the comedic talent that he incorporated into his characters are an important part of German cultural history, like that Wikipedia summarizes.
The festival in detail
The festival “EI KALL!” will take place from October 10th to 12th, 2025. The program promises a colorful spectrum of readings, films and workshops that will appeal to both old and new fans. For example, there will be a premiere of an unfilmed script from Hesselbach's last season, which deals with the topic of development aid. Jo van Nelsen not only researched unpublished material about Wolf Schmidt, but also received permission from his heirs to bring it to life.
Another highlight is the reconstruction of the Hesselbach film “The Horoscope of the Hesselbach Family”. The participation of well-known actors such as Mathias Herrmann and Nicole Averkamp will also enrich the festival. The content on offer is diverse and ranges from lectures on the art of Babba Hesselbach to nostalgic film screenings and readings that take the audience into the world of the Hesselbachs.
Programs and tickets
A look at the programmatic highlights shows the diversity of the festival:
- Freitag, 10.10.2025:
- 16.00 – 23.00 Uhr: Hesselbach-Episoden im „Fernsehzimmer“
- 19.30 Uhr: Eröffnung des Festivals mit Theatervorführung und Filmvorführung „Die Firma Hesselbach: Das Dokument“
- Samstag, 11.10.2025:
- Filmvorschau: „Babba Hesselbach“ mit anschließender Talkrunde
- Lesung „Sie und Er“ mit Nicole Averkamp und Mathias Herrmann
- Sonntag, 12.10.2025:
- Lesung von Jo van Nelsen über „Herr Hesselbach und die Entwicklungshilfe“
- Theatervorführung „5-Minuten-Brenner“
The tickets are already available via Reservix and offer a flexible pricing structure, ranging from a cheap day pass to discounted prices. The first visitors should arrive in good time, as seating is free and well-filled rows can be expected.
With this festival, Jo van Nelsen has not only set a loving memorial for Wolf Schmidt and the Hesselbachs, but has also proven that the charm and relevance of these characters radiate far beyond the classics of German television. A celebration for everyone who loves something special and wants to remember the beautiful moments of the Hesselbachs - an event that shouldn't be missed!