Case study
Graffiti for peace and freedom: shop windows on Braubachstraße
For German Unity Day 2025 – the 35th anniversary – graffiti artist Viacheslav “Slavik” Balabaiev (Farbaholix) turned shop windows on Frankfurt’s Braubachstraße into messages for democracy: window graffiti and calligraphy with lines from Willy Brandt to the Iranian protest movement, under the motto “We protect our democracy – together for freedom, diversity and solidarity”.
Project at a glance
- Location
- Braubachstraße, Frankfurt’s new old town
- Occasion
- German Unity Day 2025 – 35 years of unity
- Framework
- “Jazz zum Dritten” (Tourismus+Congress GmbH and Frankfurt city marketing)
- Initiative
- Café “Das Herz von Frankfurt”
- Scope
- Windows of six shops
- Period
- Early October 2025, on view until 5 October
The idea
In 2025, Römerberg, the new old town and Braubachstraße were the centre of Frankfurt’s German Unity Day celebrations. Café “Das Herz von Frankfurt”, run by Mengi and Taff Zeleke, came up with the idea of letting the street’s shop windows speak – and brought in Slavik. The project was part of the traditional civic festival “Jazz zum Dritten”, organised by Tourismus+Congress GmbH with the city marketing office, which grew to a full weekend (3–5 October) for the 35th anniversary.
Which windows were painted
Six addresses on Braubachstraße took part:
- Café “Das Herz von Frankfurt” (initiative)
- Iimori Pâtisserie
- Frankfurter Salon
- Magus Antiquitäten
- Maison Slilou
- Philokalist Concept Store
The messages in the window graffiti
- “Berlin wird leben und die Mauer wird fallen!” (“Berlin will live and the wall will fall!”) – Willy Brandt; the first line of the series, in white calligraphy with green rays of paint at Iimori Pâtisserie.
- “Frau, Leben, Freiheit” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”) – the slogan of the Iranian protest movement, at Philokalist.
- “Demokratie lebt vom Mitmachen” (“Democracy thrives on taking part”) – signed “Albert Einstein” in the window, framed by orange and white spray rays at Frankfurter Salon.
Historic quotes meet current issues – the link between reunification and the worldwide struggle for freedom was the common thread.
The mayor’s visit
The “Woman, Life, Freedom” window was painted on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, in the presence of Mayor and Diversity Commissioner Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg, together with Loucienne Nahih Girmazion of Philokalist Concept Store and the team of Café “Das Herz von Frankfurt”.
Technique: calligraphy meets spray can
The lettering is white calligraphy directly on the glass, combined with rays and soft gradients from the spray can that catch the light of the shop windows – by day and by night. The pieces were made for the festival days and were on view until 5 October.
“Democracy is not a gift; it has to be lived and defended again and again.”
Photos of the windows
Tap to enlarge
Press and sources
- City of Frankfurt, published on frankfurt-live.com: “Graffiti für Frieden und Freiheit” (2 Oct 2025, in German)
- Weltexpresso: “Graffiti für Frieden und Freiheit” (in German)
- Rhein Main Verlag: “Graffiti für Frieden und Freiheit in Frankfurt” (2 Oct 2025, in German)
- visitfrankfurt: “Jazz zum Dritten – 35 Jahre Deutsche Einheit” (in German)
Frequently asked questions
What is window graffiti?
Painting and calligraphy directly on the shop window – with brush and spray can. From the street it reads like a poster made of light, and it can be removed without residue later.
Which lines were painted on Braubachstraße?
Among others “Berlin wird leben und die Mauer wird fallen!” (Willy Brandt), “Frau, Leben, Freiheit” and “Demokratie lebt vom Mitmachen”.
Can I have my shop window painted?
Yes – for openings, holidays or campaigns. The price calculator gives a first estimate; the opening package combines window, wall and event.
Your wall as the next project?
Another project: 100 years of Sankt Georgen: a wall full of flowers →
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