Modern, versatile, discussed:The high-quality, German-language book portrays the creation, construction and visions of the Humboldt Forum. Richly illustrated and with texts by the experts of the four partner institutions, you will gain insights into the young but eventful history of the house.
The debates about the reconstruction, the architecture, the building history, the historical traces from 800 years, the comprehensive cultural, educational and leisure activities and many other topics play a role.
The photographs, illustrations, room plans and sketches make the work a perfect reminder of a visit to the Humboldt Forum. Also as a gift, it increases the anticipation of soon experiencing this special place for yourself.
The book is also available in English.
Hardcover with dust jacket
Publisher:Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Publisher:Prestel, 2020
32.5x24.5cm
248 pages with numerous historical illustrations, photographs, graphics, sketches and room plans
The high-quality floor lamp, designed according to a historical model, is a very special kind of home accessory. The exclusive design is based on the lamps that once hung in the Palace of the Republic and is an eye-catcher in every room.
Colloquially referred to as"Erich's lamp shop", the Palace of the Republic was built between 1973 and 1976 under Erich Honecker and was the seat of the GDR parliament and a popular place for leisure and culture until 1990. The foyer and stairwell were lit up day and night thanks to the generous lighting systems. This impression still determines the memories of many people who visited the Palace of the Republic.
The floor lamp with a sphere was produced in a very limited edition and is exclusively available here.
Dimensions floor lamp:W:25 cm, L:140 cm
Dimensions packaging:H:36 cm, W:40 cm, L:55 cm
Weight:7kg
Material:glass, metal
Socket:E27 for bulbs up to max. 40 watts or energy-saving bulbs up to max. 11 watts
Fascinated by ivory. Humans used mammoth tusks to create elaborate figurines and musical instruments as early as 40,000 years ago, and the material continues to be popular today.
Ivory polarized. Because today the tusks of the elephants stand for injustice and violence at the same time:the exploitation of people and nature, the threatened extinction of elephants, illegal hunting and organized crime are phenomena that are associated with the use of ivory. The volume takes a critical approach to the subject and poses the question of our responsibility in dealing with animals and materials.
Published by the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
From swamp area to cultural hotspot:On more than 1,500 square meters, the four exhibition areas in the Humboldt Forum tell the story of the place, embedded in the history of the city of Berlin.
The compact, German-language exhibition guide provides an overview of selected key topics and shows and explains the highlight objects. In addition to a summary of 800 years of building and political history and illustrations of the historical predecessors, the book accompanying the exhibition takes the reader on a tour of the exhibition areas"History of the Site"and"Traces"as well as the sculpture collection and the castle cellar.
The entertaining reading, written by the curators of the exhibition, is an ideal companion before, during or after the visit.
The book is also available in English.
Publisher:Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Publisher:Prestel, 2020
22 x 12.3 cm
184 pages with numerous historical illustrations, photographs and graphics
The Humboldt Forum is both a place of history and research and a place of encounter and inclusion. This inclusively designed book tells the history of the site from the 13th century to the present day with 14 tactile images and texts in large print, Braille and plain language.
What began as a small Dominican monastery has become one of the most important squares in Berlin over the centuries. With the help of your fingertips, your eyes or your ears, you will embark on a special journey through time in eight stages.
An audio version supplements the book and can be accessed here .
The book was created in cooperation with members of the Culture and Leisure Working Group of the Berlin General Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, founded 1874 e. V. emerged.
Publisher:Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace, 2020
26.2 x 44.2 cm
64 pages
Texts in large print, Braille and plain language
14 illustrations, 6 thermoforming foils and tactile printing
3,000 figurative sculptures 22,000 sandstone workpieces 750 meters of restored facades 3.5 million bricks
The architecture and sculpture of the masterful facades of Andreas Schlueter and his successor Eosander meet in breathtaking new photographs by Leo Seidel:The resurrected Berlin Palace in the center of Berlin is both a monument to the baroque building and a lively new urban district for culture. With the castle, the urban reference point for the historic center of the city between the boulevard Unter den Linden and the Museum Island returns. The magnificent photographs and the multifaceted texts by authors who, as participants in this major project, look behind the scenes, tell of the diversity and importance of the baroque sandstone facades, their technical and craft reconstruction and the architectural conception of the building.
Published by the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Text contributions by Hans-Dieter Hegner, Kathrin Lange, Bernd Wolfgang Lindemann, Franco Stella, Peter Stephan, Bernhard Wolter
Die Publikation „Hin und weg. Der Palast der Republik ist Gegenwart“ betrachtet den Palast der Republik als gesamtdeutsches Thema. Von der Architektur über die Baugeschichte bis hin zu künstlerischen Positionen und Forschungsarbeiten bietet dieses Buch eine umfassende Untersuchung des Palastes.
Das Buch sammelt eine Vielzahl von Perspektiven unterschiedlicher Menschen, die direkt oder indirekt mit dem Palast verbunden waren, und ermöglicht es so, dessen Geschichte aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln zu betrachten. Es enthält Beiträge renommierter Autor*innen wie Victoria Helene Bergemann, Aron Boks und Gesine Danckwart sowie Wissenschaftler*innen wie Hanno Hochmuth und Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk. Diese Mischung aus persönlichen Erzählungen und wissenschaftlichen Essays eröffnet neue Diskurse und macht das Thema für ein breites Publikum zugänglich. https://www.yumpu.com/de/document/view/68688830/hin-und-weg-der-palast-der-republik-ist-gegenwart Ergänzt werden die Texte durch eindrucksvolle Fotoarbeiten unter anderem von Tobias Kruse und Nikolaus Becker sowie innovative Grafiken von Johanna Benz und Tiziana Beck (graphicrecording.cool), die das visuelle Erlebnis des Buches bereichern.
Dieses Buch ist ein unverzichtbarer Bestandteil jeder Sammlung zur Geschichte und Architektur der DDR.
Dealing with colonial history and (post)colonial continuities is one of the major challenges of the Humboldt Forum. It will decisively shape the work of this cultural institution. In this volume, prominent, globally active museum experts who accompanied the Humboldt Forum in its creation have their say. With their contributions, they take part in international debates, such as the passionate debate about the provenance and restitution of ethnological collections. With contributions by George Okello Abungu (Nairobi), Kwame Anthony Appiah (New York), Philipp Blom (Vienna), Hartmut Dorgerloh (Berlin), Rita Eder (Mexico City), Hu Wei (Shanghai), Jyotindra Jain (New Delhi), Lars-Christian Koch (Berlin), Lee Chor Lin (Singapore), Neil MacGregor (London), Natalia Majluf (Lima), Wayne Modest (Amsterdam), Nazan Ölçer (Istanbul), Barbara Plankensteiner (Hamburg), Thomas Thiemeyer (Tübingen) , Abdoulaye Toure (Dakar).
Published by the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
The high-quality table lamp, designed according to historical models, is a very special kind of home accessory. The exclusive design is based on the lights that once hung in the Palace of the Republic and is an eye-catcher in every room.
Colloquially referred to as"Erich's lamp shop", the Palace of the Republic was built between 1973 and 1976 under Erich Honecker and was the seat of the GDR parliament and a popular place for leisure and culture until 1990. The foyer and stairwell were lit up day and night thanks to the generous lighting systems. This impression still determines the memories of many people who visited the Palace of the Republic.
The table lamp with a sphere has been produced in a very limited edition and is exclusively available here.
Table lamp dimensions:W:25 cm, L:35.2 cm
Dimensions packaging:H:36 cm, W:40 cm, L:55 cm
Weight:7kg
Material:glass, metal
Socket:E27 for bulbs up to max. 40 watts or energy-saving bulbs up to max. 11 watts
Modern, versatile, discussed:The high-quality, English-language book portrays the creation, construction and visions of the Humboldt Forum. Richly illustrated and with texts by the experts of the four partner institutions, you will gain insights into the young but eventful history of the house.
The debates about the reconstruction, the architecture, the building history, the historical traces from 800 years, the comprehensive cultural, educational and leisure activities and many other topics play a role.
The photographs, illustrations, room plans and sketches make the work a perfect reminder of a visit to the Humboldt Forum. Also as a gift, it increases the anticipation of soon experiencing this special place for yourself.
The book is also available in German.
Hardcover with dust jacket
Publisher:Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Publisher:Prestel, 2020
32.5x24.5cm
248 pages with numerous historical illustrations, photographs, graphics, sketches and room plans
Ivory fascinates. As long as 40,000 years ago people carved mammoth tusks into artful figures and musical instruments, and it remains popular as a material to this day.
Ivory polarises. Severed elephant tusks represent both injustice and violence. The exploitation of man and nature, the imminent extinction of the elephant, as well as poaching and organized crime are all phenomena which we associate with the use of ivory today.
The publication approaches the subject critically and poses questions about our responsibility in our dealings with both animal and material.
Published by Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Addressing colonial history and (post)colonial continuities is a major challenge for the Humboldt Forum, and will decisively shape the activities of this cultural institution. This volume features essays and conversations of prominent museum experts from around the world who have supported and advised the Humboldt Forum in its development. Through their statements, they take part in international discussions such as the intense debate about provenance and restitution of ethnological collections. Includes contributions from George Okello Abungu (Nairobi), Kwame Anthony Appiah (New York), Philipp Blom (Vienna), Hartmut Dorgerloh (Berlin), Rita Eder (Mexico City), Hu Wei (Shanghai), Jyotindra Jain (New Delhi), Lars-Christian Koch (Berlin), Lee Chor Lin (Singapore), Neil MacGregor (London), Natalia Majluf (Lima), Wayne Modest (Amsterdam), Nazan Ölçer (Istanbul), Barbara Plankensteiner (Hamburg), Thomas Thiemeyer (Tübingen) , and Abdoulaye Toure (Dakar).
Published by Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
3,000 figurative sculptures and reliefs 22,000 sandstone blocks 750 Meters of Restored Facades 3.5 million bricks
Encounter the architecture and sculptural work of Andreas Schlueter's masterful façades and those of his successor Eosander von Göthe in breath-taking new photographs by Leo Seidel:the restored Berlin Palace in the center of the capital is both a monument to the Baroque building and a vibrant new city complex for culture. With the palace, the urban reference point for the historic center of the city between the boulevard Unter Den Linden and the Spree Island has returned. The magnificent photographs and multifaceted texts by authors who, as participants in this major project, look behind the scenes, tell of the diversity and significance of the Baroque sandstone façades, their technical and handcrafted reconstruction, and the architectural conception of the building.
Published by Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Contributions by Hans-Dieter Hegner, Kathrin Lange, Bernd Wolfgang Lindemann, Franco Stella, Peter Stephan, Bernhard Wolter
The high-quality pendant light, designed according to historical models, is a very special kind of home accessory. The exclusive design is based on the lights that once hung in the Palace of the Republic and is an eye-catcher in every room.
Colloquially referred to as"Erich's lamp shop", the Palace of the Republic was built between 1973 and 1976 under Erich Honecker and was the seat of the GDR parliament and a popular place for leisure and culture until 1990. The foyer and stairwell were lit up day and night thanks to the generous lighting systems. This impression still determines the memories of many people who visited the Palace of the Republic.
The pendant lamp with a sphere has been produced in a very limited edition and is exclusively available here.
Dimensions pendant lamp:L:up to max. 270 cm, W:25 cm
Dimensions packaging:H:34 cm, W:32 cm, L:52 cm
Weight:5.9kg
Material:glass, metal
Socket:E27 for bulbs up to max. 40 watts or energy-saving bulbs up to max. 11 watts
The Palace of the Republic was the building that most exemplified political power in East Germany. Built from 1973 to 1976 in the middle of Berlin, the state and cultural
centre was the seat of the Volkskammer (parliament) as well as a meeting place with event and gallery spaces, restaurants, a theatre, discotheque, and bowling alley.
The first freely elected Volkskammer convened there in March of 1990. Shortly thereafter, the building was closed because of asbestos contamination. In the
early 2000s, the shell was successfully used for cultural purposes but demolished nonetheless not much later. Today, the Humboldt Forum stands in its place. Yet the
palace remains present in many people’s memories.
This volume explores aspects such as closeout sales, construction site, ghosts, Glass Flower, Global South, identity, interim use, lighting system, Marx & Engels,
palaces of culture, reconstruction, Stasi, and more. Recent research, artistic contributions, and personal interviews open new perspectives. The Palace of the
From swamp area to cultural hotspot:On more than 1,500 square meters, the four exhibition areas in the Humboldt Forum tell the story of the place, embedded in the history of the city of Berlin.
The compact, English-language exhibition guide provides an overview of selected key topics and shows and explains the highlight objects. In addition to a summary of 800 years of building and political history and illustrations of the historical predecessors, the book accompanying the exhibition takes the reader on a tour of the exhibition areas"History of the Site"and"Traces"as well as the sculpture collection and the castle cellar.
The entertaining reading, written by the curators of the exhibition, is an ideal companion before, during or after the visit.
The book is also available in German.
Publisher:Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace
Publisher:Prestel, 2020
22 x 12.3 cm
184 pages with numerous historical illustrations, photographs and graphics
A Japanese tea house, a sound installation with Nigerian sounds, a two-part bronze flagpole:numerous works of contemporary art, some of which are expansive, can be discovered on the vast areas of Berlin's Humboldt Forum. In the exhibitions of the Ethnological Museum, the Museum of Asian Art and the State of Berlin, works by artists from different communities enrich the collections. In addition, seven works of art were realized in the Humboldt Forum, which deal with the history of the place, with the Humboldt Forum as a"place in the world", encounter and exchange or the namesake, the brothers Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, appreciate. This book presents selected works of art in informative and associative texts as well as impressive photographs and thus offers completely new insights into the many-voiced cultural location Humboldt Forum.
Meena Kandasamy contemplates the Mithuna couple, a 17th century ivory sculpture from Tamil Nadu, India. Starting from this depiction of lovers, the author unfolds a multilayered narrative that moves in several directions through images, questions, and contradictions.
"How can we look at this piece without talking about who created it?" she asks, examining how caste and class are as indelibly etched into the object as its physical details. This awareness complicates the seemingly straightforward associations of "love" that the sculpture might evoke. Meena Kandasamy refuses to idealise or exoticise the carving, instead linking it to personal and political narratives: Who is allowed to love whom? She contrasts the intimate with the institutional in order to challenge concepts such as decolonisation, restitution, and preservation. Through a striking blend of styles - Twitter, academic discourse, poetry, memoir - she engages in a dialogue with the object: forwards, sideways, backwards.
Part of the series Objects talk back, published by the Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace.
Meena Kandasamy is a poet, novelist and translator. Her work focuses on the militant resistance against caste, gender, and ethnic oppressions. She explores this in her books of poems such as Touch (2006) and Ms. Militancy (2010), as well as her three novels, The Gypsy Goddess(2014), When I Hit You (2017), and Exquisite Cadavers (2019). Her novels have been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the International Dylan Thomas Prize, the Jhalak Prize and the Hindu Lit Prize. The Book of Desire, her translation of the love poetry of the 2000-year-old Tamil classic Tirukkural was published in 2023.
Meena Kandasamy betrachtet das Mithuna-Paar, eine Elfenbeinskulptur des 17. Jahrhunderts aus Tamil Nadu (Indien). Ausgehend von diesem Liebespaar entfaltet die Autorin eine vielschichtige, in mehrere Richtungen gehende Erzählung aus Bildern, Fragen und Widersprüchen.
„Wie können wir dieses Werk betrachten, ohne darüber zu sprechen, wer es geschaffen hat?“ fragt sie und untersucht, wie Kaste und Klasse ebenso unauslöschlich in das Objekt eingraviert sind wie seine physischen Details. Dieses Wissen erschwert die einfachen Assoziationen von „Liebe“, die durch das Paar hervorgerufen werden können. Meena Kandasamy weigert sich, die Schnitzerei zu idealisieren oder zu exotisieren und verbindet sie mit persönlichen und politischen Geschichten: Wer darf wen lieben? Sie stellt das Intime dem Institutionellen gegenüber, um Begriffe wie Entkolonialisierung, Rückgabe und Bewahrung zu hinterfragen. Durch einen erstaunlichen Stilmix – Twitter, akademischer Diskurs, Poesie, Memoiren – führt sie einen Dialog mit dem Objekt: vorwärts, seitwärts, rückwärts.
In der ReiheObjekte widersprechen, herausgegeben von der Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Meena Kandasamy ist Dichterin, Romanautorin und Übersetzerin. Ihr Werk konzentriert sich auf den militanten Widerstand gegen die Unterdrückung durch Kaste, Geschlecht und Ethnie. Sie erforscht dies in ihren Gedichtbänden wie Touch (2006) und Ms. Militancy (2010) sowie in ihren drei Romanen The Gypsy Goddess (2014), When I Hit You (2017) und Exquisite Cadavers (2019). Ihre Romane standen auf der Shortlist u.a. für den Women’s Prize for Fiction und den International Dylan Thomas Prize. The Book of Desire, ihre Übersetzung der Liebeslyrik des 2000 Jahre alten tamilischen Klassikers Tirukkural, ist 2023 erschienen.
“Most of the time, it is the power of men that we remember.” With these words, which open Léonora Miano’s text forObjects Talk Back, an astonishing new narrative unfurls around Mandu Yenu, a throne from the ancient Kingdom of Bamum (present day Cameroon).
The Germans long claimed the object was a gift from King Njoya to Kaiser Wilhelm II. Miano reads “between the lines of beads and cowrie shells” to show the complex intricacies of colonial and gender relations. Dismissing all pretense of egalitarianism between colonizer and colonized, she hones in on the very nature of power—how and by whom it is defined-wielded-subverted.
King Njoya said he “felt like a woman in his relationship with the Germans.” Miano takes this as a prompt to examine contrasting cultural notions of femininity and thus reveals how central women are to the story of the throne. As the very name of the object suggests, it is the power of women we should remember.
Series Objects talk backpublished by Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Born in Cameroon, Léonora Miano lives and writes between continents: in her country of origin, France, and in Togo. Her novels, plays and essays have won numerous awards. Most recently, her celebrated work Season of the Shadow was published in English by Seagul Press.
»Meist ist es die Macht von Männern, an die erinnert wird.« Mit diesen Worten eröffnet Léonora Miano ihre Erzählung um Mandu Yenu, einen Thron aus dem alten Königreich Bamum (heute Kamerun). Lange war das Objekt als »Geschenk« von König Njoya an Kaiser Wilhelm II. bezeichnet worden. Miano zeigt »zwischen den Zeilen von Perlen und Kaurimuscheln« die komplexen Verwicklungen von Kolonial- und Geschlechterbeziehungen auf. König Njoya sagte, er fühle sich »in den Beziehungen zu den Deutschen wie eine Frau«. Davon ausgehend untersucht Miano die unterschiedlichen kulturellen Vorstellungen von Weiblichkeit und die zentrale Rolle der Frauen für die Geschichte des Throns. Schon der Name des Objekts bezeugt: Es ist die Macht der Frauen, an die wir uns erinnern sollten.
In der ReiheObjekte widersprechen, herausgegeben von der Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Geboren in Kamerun, lebt und schreibt Léonora Miano zwischen den Kontinenten: in ihrem Herkunftsland Frankreich und in Togo. Ihre Romane, Theaterstücke und Essays wurden mit zahlreichen Preisen ausgezeichnet. Zuletzt erschien auf Deutsch im Aufbau Verlag ihr gefeiertes Werk Sisterhood – ein leidenschaftliches Plädoyer für eine neue weltweite Solidarität unter Frauen und eine faszinierende Reise zu den Ursprüngen eines anderen Feminismus.
Having recently accepted German citizenship, writer and activist Priya Basil explores the Humboldt Forum from a deeply personal perspective. She delves into the question of what such a building, such a project, means for an understanding of the past and our sense of belonging in the present. This much disputed, contested, celebrated monument now exists—but what exactly does it monumentalize? “In German the word Schloss means a palace, and also a ‘lock.’ The central question: Can a lock also be a key?”
Series Objects talk backpublished by Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Priya Basil is a writer and curator. Her published work includes novels, non-fiction, essays, plays and short stories. In her book, Be My Guest, she combines her Indian-Kenyan-British-German heritage with philosophy, food and politics to make a passionate plea for hospitality in its broadest sense. She is co-founder and board member of WIR MACHEN DAS, an NGO that works with refugees and migrants for a more inclusive society. She is also on the advisory board of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights.
Das zum Auftakt derReihe Objektewidersprechen von Priya Basil betrachtete Objekt ist das wiederaufgebaute Berliner Schloss. Die Schriftstellerin und Aktivistin erkundet das Gebäude aus einer sehr persönlichen Perspektive – sie hat erst kürzlich die deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft angenommen. In ihrem Essay geht sie der Frage nach, was ein solcher Bau, ein solches Projekt für das Verständnis der Vergangenheit und die Zugehörigkeit in der Gegenwart bedeutet. Das vielfach umstrittene, umkämpfte, gefeierte Monument ist nun Realität – aber was genau monumentalisiert es? Das deutsche Wort »Schloss« bezeichnet einen Palast, aber auch einen Verschluss oder Riegel. Die entscheidende Frage lautet: Kann ein Schloss auch ein Schlüssel sein?
In der ReiheObjekte widersprechen herausgegeben von der Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Priya Basil ist Schriftstellerin und Kuratorin. Ihre Veröffentlichungen umfassen Romane, Sachbücher, Essays, Theaterstücke und Kurzgeschichten. In ihrem Buch Gastfreundschaft verwebt sie ihre indisch-kenianisch-britisch-deutsche Biografie mit Philosophie, Essen und Politik zu einem leidenschaftlichen Plädoyer für die Gastfreundschaft im weitesten Sinn. Sie ist Mitbegründerin und Vorstandsmitglied von WIR MACHEN DAS, einer NGO, die gemeinsam mit Menschen mit Migrations- und Fluchtgeschichte für eine solidarischere Gesellschaft arbeitet. Außerdem ist sie Mitglied des Beirats des European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights.
