January 2021 marks the beginning of an important anniversary year: 1700 years of Jewish life in the territory of present-day Germany. The reason for this anniversary year is the first written record mentioning a Jewish community north of the Alps: In 321, the Roman Emperor Constantine granted members of Cologne’s Jewish community the permission to hold office in the city council for the first time.

Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer said: "For 1700 years now, Judaism has been an integral part of our cultural life and religious roots. In the course of this year, about 500 projects will make Jewish life visible and show how it has left its mark on our society. It is with deep gratitude that I see Jewish life flourishing in Germany 70 years after the Holocaust."

Numerous public and civil society stakeholders will contribute to this anniversary year which aims to increase public awareness of the past and present of Jewish life in Germany. The Cologne association 321 – 2021: 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany has assumed the responsibility for preparing and coordinating the event programme for this anniversary year.

The Federal Government supports the anniversary year and the association’s projects on the basis of a resolution adopted by the German Bundestag. Overall, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community provides approximately 22 million euros in terms of funding. The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media funds, among other things, the official ceremony organised by the 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany association which will be held on 21 February 2021. Federal President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is patron of the anniversary year.