With a festive anniversary celebration at the Ergersheim Community Center, the Frieda Lang Haus (FLH) marked two special milestones: 20 years as a daycare center and 15 years as an all-day elementary school. Together with guests from the worlds of politics, education, and business, as well as numerous families, the institution looked back on its development.
After opening remarks by Susanne Lang, managing partner of the MEKRA Lang Group and managing director of Frieda Lang Haus gGmbH, her daughter Elea Lang—one of the very first children to attend the daycare—spoke about her personal experience at the FLH. She said the Montessori approach had shaped her and, above all, taught her independence. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped shape the Frieda Lang Haus over the years.
Among the guests of honor was Bavaria’s Minister of Family Affairs, Ulrike Scharf. In her remarks, she praised the high quality of the educational and childcare work and emphasized the importance of early childhood education: “You lay the foundation. If we have strong children, we have a strong Bavaria.” At the same time, she thanked Susanne Lang and the entire team for their many years of dedication.
A special highlight of the program was the panel discussion, which was led by Elea Lang together with the child co-hosts Julia and Leonhard. With their questions for Family Minister Ulrike Scharf, District Administrator Dr. Christian von Dobschütz, State Legislator Werner Stieglitz, Mayor Jörg Rabenstein, and Susanne Lang, the children provided many personal and entertaining insights.
During the discussion about the founding of the Frieda Lang House, Susanne Lang paid special tribute to former State Representative Hans Herold and former Mayor Gerhard Wunderlich. Both had shown great dedication to the project right from the founding phase and played a key role in creating the necessary political and organizational conditions. “Without Hans Herold and Gerhard Wunderlich, the Frieda Lang House would not exist today,” emphasized Susanne Lang. As a token of appreciation, both were honored for their contributions. They received a certificate as well as a lifetime invitation to events at the Frieda Lang Haus, including the annual theater performances.
The Frieda Lang Haus was founded with the goal of providing families with the best possible support in balancing family and work. Today, the facility includes a daycare center and an elementary school based on the Montessori method. Among its unique features are flexible opening hours tailored to needs, only ten days of closure per year, and continuous care during school breaks. The elementary school has operated as an all-day school since its founding. Homework, music lessons, and the theater club are integrated into the daily school routine. Even children of MEKRA Lang Group employees who do not attend the Frieda Lang Haus elementary school can take advantage of the school break care program.
Further thanks were extended to Elisabeth Döbler-Scholl, co-managing director of Frieda Lang Haus gGmbH. Susanne Lang highlighted her long-standing support, loyalty, and tireless dedication to the institution.
In closing, Christina Hartländer, deputy director of the daycare center, and Dagmar Gerlinger, organizational director of the elementary school, expressed their gratitude to the sponsoring organization, MEKRA Lang, and to Susanne Lang personally. As a token of their appreciation, they presented her with a rainbow-colored bouquet of flowers and a colorful T-shirt.
The ceremony concluded with a joint blessing and a song performed by the children. Accompanied by a slideshow featuring highlights from the past 20 years, it became clear how the Frieda Lang Haus has become an integral part of the region’s educational and childcare landscape. Today, numerous families benefit from a program that combines high-quality education, individualized support, and reliable care.
The family festival, which was originally scheduled to take place afterward, has been postponed to September 26, 2026, due to the heat!