Russians and Germans. 1000 years of art, history and culture
Press release from 06/25/2012
6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013 at the Neues Museum
From 6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013, the National Museums in Berlin are presenting the exhibition "Russians & Germans - 1000 Years of Art, History and Culture" at the Neues Museum on Museum Island. A few days ago, this exhibition opened at the State Historical Museum in Moscow, where it will be on display until 25 August 2012. The cultural-historical exhibition on the diverse contacts between Russians and Germans is unique in its temporal and thematic spectrum and invites visitors to discover Russian traces in German and German traces in Russian history. Beginning with the first encounters in the 10th century and the intensive trade relations, the chronological arc spans from the Middle Ages through the era of close dynastic ties in the 18th and 19th centuries to the deep ruptures and successful new beginnings in the 20th century. The aim of the joint German-Russian exhibition project is to show visitors how far back the links between the two peoples go and how lasting these ties are to the present day. Prof. Dr Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, emphasised: "Our intention with this project is to promote mutual knowledge about these close historical ties between the two countries. We want to make it clear that the catastrophe of the Second World War is the low point in a very long shared history, which was otherwise characterised by a predominantly peaceful coexistence and cooperation between Russians and Germans."
More than 600 works of art and artefacts from the Moscow State Historical Museum, the Kremlin Museum, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and numerous important international collections, some of which have never been exhibited in Germany before, will await visitors on the 3rd floor of the Neues Museum from October. These include the first diamond found in Europe, precious manuscripts, paintings, weapons, clothing and porcelain as well as a special highlight: the only surviving original stone mosaic of the legendary Amber Room, curated by Prof. Dr Matthias Wemhoff, State Archaeologist and Director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History of the National Museums in Berlin.
The exhibition concept was developed by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the State Historical Museum in Moscow and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation under the auspices of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History of the National Museums in Berlin.
The joint exhibition project is a central contribution to the "Year of Russia in Germany and Year of Germany in Russia 2012/2013". It is being organised under the patronage of the German Federal President and the Russian President. The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive volume of essays and a catalogue in German and Russian with scientific
contributions as well as a course book aimed particularly at a young audience. E.ON AG is the main sponsor of the exhibition in Berlin.