Coming Home to Schleitheim
500th Anniversary of the Schleitheim Confession
Join us for a unique commemorative event honoring the Schleitheim Confession on July 3 and 4, 2027
Supported by:
What is this? (what is this about)?
The principles of the Schleitheim Confession was about the community and nonviolence which influenced generations to come and shaped their religious beliefs and freedom of the conscience for centuries.
Digital Illustration
Connection to Present-day Schleitheim
Many people from Schleitheim and Beggingen were persecuted for over 200 years because of their belief if the "Anabaptism."
Many Schleitheimer residents and neighboring Anabaptists were fined, imprisoned, and expelled by the authorities.
Many Schleitheim families were fined, dispossessed, and expelled because of "Anabaptism."
(Image: Uli Stamm, Schleitheim)
Experience history first-hand at the original sites
The 500-year anniversary of the Schleitheim Confession will be celebrated with an "Anabaptist Festival" together with Anabaptists from Switzerland, Germany, the USA and with other delegations from overseas.
Our goal is to bring together people who are interested in history and in Schleitheim. People from Schleitheim should meet people from overseas to get to know each other, to talk to each other, to sit at the same table, and to laugh together. No matter what faith they belong to, no matter what country they come from. Schleitheim should connect people.
Connect with others who are interested to help preserve a valuable Schleitheimer legacy.
The commemorative event aims to bring history to life and to inspire a forward-looking society.
The dates for the commemorative event is set with the municipal council and local associations for the 3rd and 4th of July 2027.
Formats
1. Station theater
2. Historical lectures
3. Cultural exhibition
4. Special historical exhibition
5. Cultural Evening
6. Festival grounds with family course
Digital illustration / conceptual representation
The needs?
What are the needs that the project addresses?
We see a need because there has been a lack of any public discussion of the Schleitheim Confession and the dramatic Anabaptist phase in the Schleitheim Valley. The vast majority of the local population is completely unaware that nearly 500 years ago many middle-class families were penitentiated, imprisoned, dispossessed and even expelled because of their attitude and way of life. Although the events are so closely linked to Schaffhausen and its history, there is still no visible, contemporary form of remembrance in the village.
In view of current social developments, there is an increased need for historical classification, remembrance and critical reflection. The event is intended to fill this gap, strengthen the local culture of remembrance and create a public space for debate, dialogue and mediation.
— especially for the younger generations. This clearly indicates a need for a public, mediating and contemporary examination of the Schleitheim Confession and the history of the Anaptist families in the Schleitheim Valley.
Monument
In addition to the commemorative event, we see a need for a permanent memorial in the village that anchors the memory in public space beyond the date of the event. Visitors from abroad ask for a memorial in the village. A new memorial, the only one in the village, should create visibility, continuity and accessibility and enable a long-term examination of historical events. It should serve as a place of reflection, information and remembrance and help to anchor the memory of the turmoil 500 years ago permanently in the collective consciousness. Particularly in the current era of global insecurity and the erosion of democracy, such a place is of central importance for the sustainable culture of remembrance and historical responsibility. Hence the need for a permanently visible and freely accessible form of remembrance in public space.
Digital illustration / conceptual representation
What do we want to achieve or change and how?
The commemorative event addresses existing gaps in knowledge, historical distance and diminishing societal confrontation with issues of peace, minority protection and social cohesion. The aim is to convert this initial situation into an active, dialogue-oriented “remembrance” and to sustainably strengthen societal engagement and cross-border understanding. The commemorative event “500 Years of Schleitheim’s Confession” is intended to unite the fields of society, history and culture in a unique, one-of-a-kind occasion and achieve a lasting, positive effect:
In the exhibition “The Anabaptist Families from the Schleitheimertal” the people of Schaffhausen should become aware that today’s achievements such as peace, human rights, the protection of minorities and the fundamental recognition of pluralistic coexistence are not self-evident. It should be made clear that the preservation of cohesion, well-being and stability also requires new, active contributions from society.
The commemorative event strengthens identification and cohesion in the Schleitheimertal valley by making visible, embedding and keeping alive locally little-known yet unique and historic events in the Schaffhausen region.
The event and the memorial are intended to inspire new forms of dialogue, promote cross-border encounters and strengthen local cohesion. In order to make cross-border encounters possible, the event deliberately addresses people from abroad for whom the Schleitheim Confession is important. Schleitheim is intended to become the venue for a historical event that builds lasting bridges.
The commemoration is intended to reach younger generations in particular, and to provide them with low-threshold access to social, historical and cultural education. It is intended to encourage critical thinking and solutions to present and future societal challenges based on historical experiences. The event promotes reflection, dialogue and empathy and raises awareness of the historical causes and consequences of past and present events.
In conjunction with the memorial, the commemorative event has a lasting effect by anchoring remembrance permanently in public space and providing impetus for further educational and cultural formats beyond the occasion.
Digital illustration / conceptual representation
How do we do that?
Before the event
The preparations are being carried out by a broad-based organizing committee in co-operation with many local associations, institutions and volunteers.
The early information and mobilization of the population was started in July 2024 with a “roundtable” and will be carried out from February 2026 specifically via a website, the regional media, public appeals, presentations and the best structures of the associations.
Many people are involved in the event, and all of them on a voluntary basis. Any net profit accrues in full to the supporting charitable associations, depending on the hours worked.
During the event
Six different event formats will be designed to appeal to the population at different levels (in order of increasing demand):
1. Festival area with family course (very low threshold, for families with children)
2. Mixed cultural evening with music and singing from home and abroad)
3. Scene plays on the Way of the Baptist (station theater)
4. Special exhibition “The Anabaptist families from the Schleitheimertal” (focus on today’s family names from the Schleitheimertal)
5. Cultural exhibition
6. Lectures (current state of research on the Schleitheim commitment and its influence in the past and today)
After the occasion
After the event, an impressive memorial will be created to create a permanent place of remembrance that makes the historical events visible and tangible.
Due to its special design and placement next to the old schoolhouse, the memorial acts as a place of reflection, information and reflection.
At the same time, it serves as a meeting point and starting point for the educational and educational programs offered by the Way of the Anabaptist and the Museum Schleitheimertal, thus ensuring that the discussion of history continues beyond the occasion for remembrance.
In the long term, it contributes to anchoring a culture of remembrance in everyday life and to raising awareness of historical responsibility, democracy and human rights.
Digital illustration / conceptual representation
Who might be interested?
Village residents
To experience exciting encounters...
History enthusiasts
To learn about history...
Delegations of Swiss Anabaptist groups/societies
To experience the magic of original locations...
Registration is required in order to accomodate the vast numbers of delegations as Schleitheim is a small community.
Delegations of Anabaptist groups from around the world (Canada, USA, Germany, Netherlands...)
To experience Schleitheim...
Registration is required in order to accomodate the vast numbers of delegations as Schleitheim is a small community.
Event Objectives
Promoting Peace & Understanding:
Promoting peace, dialogue and understanding
In times of global crisis, the commemorative event strengthens a culture of discussion characterized by mutual respect. It promotes open understanding, cooperation and social engagement across cultural and geographical boundaries, thus contributing to the common good.
Strengthening identity and social cohesion:
By examining the historical events in the Schleitheir Valley 500 years ago — in particular the persecution and expulsion of native middle-class families — the event provides an opportunity to reflect on a common history. This historical anchoring strengthens the awareness of regional identity and connects locals and visitors.
Involvement of broad and diverse target groups:
The commemoration event actively brings together local and international participants and involves them interactively. It recalls the secret meeting in Schleitheim, where the seven historically significant Schleitheim articles were written, and allows for diverse cultural participation as well as rich, participatory shaping.
Sustainable Impact:
The project provides lasting impulses for dialogue and understanding beyond the occasion. In the long term, Schleitheim is to have a historical and spiritual significance – the place of the Reformation will be made visible and positioned.
Discover the highlights of the event
Live Performances
Experience captivating performances that bring the story of the 16th-century Anabaptists to life — with authentic costumes and compelling storytelling.
Expert Panels
Discuss with historians and theologians in interactive panel discussions about the legacy of the Schleitheimer Confession and its significance today.
Cultural Activities
Join a communal celebration with music and culinary offerings.
Monument
“Schleitheimer Himmelsleiter”
Concept design by the Schleitheimer Heritage Association for a monument commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Schleitheimer Confession
One of the earliest sketches of the Schlaatemer Himmelsleiter,
here shown with a group of visitors
Events Leading Up
Lectures on Anabaptist history (in Schleitheim and Schaffhausen, in the first half of 2027)
Opening of the special exhibition "Schleitheim Anabaptist Families"
Digital illustration / concept image
Funding
The monument is intended to be funded largely by sponsors.
DONATIONS IS ACCEPTED
Digital illustration / representative image
Support this event!
Become a sponsor and support this important and unique historic event!
Initiator
The Schleitheim Association for Local History works to promote and preserve local cultural heritage and historical knowledge. The association was founded in 1889.
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