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One forum – six exhibitions: Starting 20 July 2021 the Humboldt Forum will be open!

What to expect

Finally, the time has come! Following many discussions, years of construction, and delays caused by the pandemic, the Humboldt Forum is gradually opening its doors behind the reconstructed façade of the Berlin Palace this summer. The architecture alone reflects the thrilling diversity of the building – both classically baroque and truly modern at the same time. It is a place that unites differences. A place for art, culture, and education, but also a place of leisure, of peace, and of adventure. In the coming months, we will take this place and its changing history, its courtyards, terraces and foyers, its exhibition galleries, event halls, restaurants, and bring them to life in order to spark new ideas, discussions and insights.

On Tuesday 20 July 2021 at 2pm, things will finally get underway. In a celebratory ceremony, Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller and General Director Hartmut Dorgerloh, as well as invited guests from Berlin’s urban community, will open the Humboldt Forum. The celebration will be accompanied by a small programme of street musicians, food trucks as well as participatory performances and activities. Together with 60 Berlin residents, the sound artist katrinem will transform the cultural practice of sweeping, an act symbolically associated with moving house in many regions of the world, into a choreographed composition. Unter den Linden will be closed to car traffic – why not stroll by and experience some of the artistic action on our opening day, or enjoy a refreshing drink at the pop-up bar in the Schlüter Courtyard!

You are warmly invited to explore the Palace Cellar, ground floor and first floor from 4.30pm. Six different exhibitions will kick off the programme.

In the Passage and the adjacent staircase, the exhibition Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers highlights the work of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, the circumstances of their time, and creates links to the principles of the Humboldt Forum.

On the Ground Floor there will be changing special exhibitions with various institutions and international cooperation partners. Two special exhibitions will kick things off: Have a Seat! An exhibition for children from three to ten years of age with their adult companions playfully approaches the everyday phenomenon of sitting. The special exhibition Terrible Beauty: Elephant – Human – Ivory takes a look at the relationship between man and ivory in a comprehensive, critical examination – including a discourse and film programme.

On a total of 1,500 square metres, you can experience the eventful history of the site in the Palace Cellar. The exhibitions can be seen in the Video Panorama room, in the Palace Cellar and Sculpture Hall as well as on the basis of 35 Flahbacks scattered throughout the building.

On the First Floor, the exhibitions After Nature by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and BERLIN GLOBAL by Kulturprojekte Berlin and Stadtmuseum Berlin will open. The Humboldt Lab’s inaugural show After Nature uses a variety of voices from scientific research to address the violent effects of man-made global environmental change. The interactive exhibition BERLIN GLOBAL shows in seven thematic rooms – Revolution, Free Space, Boundaries, Entertainment, War, Fashion and Interconnection – a network of relationships between Berlin and the world.

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