European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 9, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel tip Frankfurt throws a birthday party a and More by Norm Zeigler staff writer birthdays usually leave Little room for doubt. You were either born on a certain Date or not. But with cities birthdays Are not such a sure thing. This is the Case with Frankfurt am main Germany which is celebrating its 1,200th anniversary with pomp pageantry and self promotion. In a foreword to the Calendar of events for the nearly yearlong Celebration mayor Andreas von Schoeler said the City dates its founding from the first documentary mention of Quot Francon Furd Quot by holy roman emperor Karl Den Crosen also known As Charlemagne. The document was dated feb. 22, 794. Four months later the emperor convened an Imperial Synod of Church leaders and members of the ruling aristocracy from the far reaches of the Empire underscoring the historical importance of Charlemagne s june Synod the literal High Point of this year s anniversary Celebration is sunday s fest fur Frankfurt. The main focal Point of the festival will be the Romer Frankfurt s carefully restored medieval Square that encompasses the old City Hall and the Dom Cathedral. French aerialist Philippe Petit will dazzle part goers below with a High wire walk from the Pauls Kirche St. Paul s Church on nearby Pauls Platz to the Cathedral. The 794 Date is somewhat artificial and arbitrary and the City s origins go Back much farther. Evidence of a settlement dates at least to the first Century and probably to the Early Stone age. What made the site attractive was that it was the Only dependable crossing Point on the lower main River. The celts the romans and the Franks All held the area but it took its name Ford of the Franks from the latter a germanic tribe that once ruled much of Central Europe.jrnl1 1200 Jahren Frankfurter Leben Over the centuries Frankfurt grew and developed mainly because of its location at the intersection of major North South and East West trading routes. It also became an important political Center. Many of the German Kings and emperors were crowned  Cathedral. From 1843-49, its Pauls Kirche was the location of the first German parliament. World War ii brought near total obliteration to the City. Some sources say that until 1943, Frankfurt had the largest intact medieval City Center in Germany. But after 1944, there was virtually nothing left of the old City but rubble. The Post War years brought massive reconstruction and a whole new face to the City. Destroyed half timbered buildings were largely replaced with blocks of Concrete Glass and steel. Much of the construction was functional but aesthetically deficient and a handful of skyscrapers most of them built by Banks eventually earned it the nickname Manhattan. By the late 60s, Frankfurt was a booming business and Industrial Center _ but seemed to Lack the Many extras that make a City attractive to live in and visit. In the ensuing decades but especially in the last 15 years Frankfurt has worked hard to add polish and class to its commercial Industrial image. It has the busiest Airport and train station on the continent and its mess Platz Fairgrounds is the scene of myriad International expositions including the world s biggest Book fair and the world s biggest Auto show. More and More it is usurping the role of London As Europe s financial Center. And now it is also rated As one of the most desirable european cities in \ which to live. Especially in its cultural offerings Frankfurt rates with any world class City. The museums Fer a string of museums located along the South Bank of the main comprises one of the most impressive and varied collections anywhere. Included Are the German architecture museum the film museum the postal museum the Folk museum and the jewish museum. The Goethe Blouse and museum recall Frankfurt s claim to Fame As the Birthplace of Germany s most renowned poet. And a ceremony on saturday will Mark what would have been the 65 the birthday of. Another famous Frankfurt resident diarist Anne Frank murdered by the nazis in 1945 at the Bergen Belsen concentration Camp. The ceremony will take place from 11 . To 1 30 . At the Frankfurt Scha Spiel playhouse at Willy Brandt Platz. Also a project is now under Way to build an Anne Frank youth Center. Modern and classical music and theater find their places in the modern opera House and painstakingly reconstructed alte oper As Well As in numerous other locations throughout the City. Sachsenhause the Apple wine and pub District on the South Side of the main offers a wide Range of choices for those who prefer less formal free time activities. And on saturdays the Sachsenhause Riverbank is the setting for one of the most attractively located Flea markets in Europe. Its one drawback is that it can be bitterly cold when Winter winds whistle Down the main. Among tire City s other attractions Are one of the world s Host zoos As Well As Many Parks including a Green Belt around the. Downtown area that traces the outline of its medieval fortifications. A Here is a partial schedule of events for sunday s main Celebration at the Romer As Well As selected other events a sunday noon-1 . A a concert by the Esther Shein youth orchestra 1 15-2 15 . A concert by tire Palace Orel rest a 3 . A concert by the radio symphony orchestra of Hessen state radio 4 30 . A Parade from the Banks of the main River to Pauls Platz 5 10 . A Frankfurt canno neers 5 15.. Rafigh wire walk by Philippe Petit. 6 30 . A reception in the kaisers Al 8 . A concert by the Palace orchestra 9 45 . A tango and performing artists festival 11 . A finale with All performers a june 15-26  june 24-26 medieval Market and culture spectacular on the Omerberg a june 30-july 3  a aug. 26-sept, 4 museums Ferrest a july 18aug. 5 action for kids adventure playground daily except sundays Between the main s Eiserner Steg and Holbein Steg Bridges a nov 26 fest Halle s Mega dance party find out additional details from Frankfurt project a Mph  102, d-60323 Frankfurt Germany. The phone number is 069-590-072 and the fax number is 069-597-0923, a High Point of Quot Manhattan Quot Germany s 1,200th anniversary Celebration is sunday s Quot fest fur Frankfurt Quot at the Romer and Pauls Platz foreground. During the festivities French aerialist Philippe Petit will perform a High wire walk. Displays of Armor await visitors to Quot fam 1200&Quot at Frankfurt s Hockenheimer depot located at Hockenheimer waste subway station. The historical exhibition which runs through aug. 28, features 700 items from medieval times to the present. June 9, 1994 stripes Magazine 21