Opening of the Humboldt Box
Press release from 06/29/2011
The new information centre on Schlossplatz presents the concepts of the National Museums in Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Berlin Central and State Library for the Humboldt Forum.
The Humboldt Box is a temporary landmark: with changing exhibitions and events, it accompanies the conceptual planning and structural realisation of the Berlin Palace - Humboldt Forum cultural project, which is being built in the immediate vicinity on Schlossplatz until 2019.
As the future centre of world cultures, the Humboldt Forum will bring together museums, a library, university and performance venues. Its name refers to the exemplary research spirit of the brothers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt. In the spirit of this extraordinary pair of brothers, the Humboldt Box is also a place of discovery and wonder. It invites visitors on a journey into the future - fuelled by curiosity and a desire to explore the world.
Nulis, the ancestor of an Indian clan on the west coast of Canada, welcomes visitors to the Humboldt Box with open arms. His mask is still worn today at Kwakiutl potlatch festivals. It symbolises the generosity with which gifts are distributed to the guests. With this gesture, the Humboldt Box invites guests to get to know the Humboldt Forum.
In a joint presentation, the future partners, the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art of the National Museums in Berlin, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin will present their concepts for the Humboldt Forum using examples of themes from around the globe.
The Nulis mask, for example, illustrates the significance of 19th century ethnological collections for the descendants of those once researched and how this can lead to promising collaborations with indigenous partners. The history of a Cameroonian royal throne in the Ethno-logical Museum challenges visitors to engage with the colonial era. A display depot illustrates the often hidden wealth of the non-European collections. Chinese porcelain from the Museum of Asian Art tells of early mass production and global trade. A glimpse into its workshop awakens admiration for the meticulous restoration of wall paintings from cave temples on the Silk Road. The Meeting Point offers music from all over the world and workshops on the exhibition themes.
The Humboldt University will be presenting current research projects in which German and international scientists are co-operating: Translations of historical medical texts from China correct clichés about Far Eastern healing methods. Researchers in West Africa are investigating the ecological consequences of consuming large quantities of frogs. The presentation of the diversity and global distribution of citrus fruits awakens all the senses. A comparison between Germany and Mali provides new insights into the changing global relationship between work and life. And a project on the Pacific island of Ambrym shows how languages threatened with extinction are being saved.
If you want to know even more about the world, you can browse through and deepen your knowledge in the Humboldt Lounge of the Central and State Library or simply enjoy the beautiful view of the Lustgarten.
The Humboldt Box will be open to the public from 30 June.
Schlossplatz 5, 10178 Berlin
Website of the National Museums in Berlin
Website of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Website of the Berlin Central and State Library
Opening hours and prices
Open: Mon to Sun: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thurs 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
30 June - 15 August 2011
€ 2,- per person (children up to 12 years free admission)
from 16.8.2011:
€ 4,- Regular
(combined with a voucher coupon worth e 0,50,
which can be redeemed in the Humboldt Terrassen restaurant)
Free admission for children and young people up to 12 years
€ 2,50 for reduced admission: for pupils*, students*, unemployed*, severely disabled*
(*on presentation of the relevant ID)
€ 20.00 School classes with 1-2 accompanying persons
(with prior registration and presentation of the certificate)
€ 3.50 / person - groups of 10 or more
€ 7.00 / family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children up to 18 years)
This press release as PDF document (PDF, 49 KB, not barrier-free)