Right-wing populist movements have been on the rise in Thuringia for several years. In the 2024 state elections, the AfD, which is classified as “definitely right-wing extremist” by the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, won 34% of the first votes. As educational institutions, universities are non-partisan. Nevertheless, our university wants to take a clear position on its values – democracy, open-mindedness, tolerance – and communicate these in its New Year’s gift to Thuringian partner institutions. As a university community, we believe in cooperation and constructive debate. We are open to the new and the unknown – and our doors are open to all. We communicate this directly through a wooden wedge: the wedge, otherwise a symbol of division, has been reinterpreted by us. It does not divide – it keeps doors open. And it bears our equivocal slogan “Thür. bleibt offen!”, which is a confession, a wish, an affirmation and a slogan all in one. One hundred wooden door wedges were handmade in the university’s workshops. They were branded with our slogan in three selected colours. They were then sent by post to partner institutions in Thuringia as New Year gifts from our university. We are also using them ourselves in public spaces with a guerrilla strategy. With “Thür(ingen) bleibt offen” we are making a statement about our attitude – and a sign of confidence.