Ethnologisches Museum and Museum für Asiatische Kunst

The new presentation, which was developed in many areas in cooperation with communities from the various regions of the world, raises pressing questions about the origin of the objects, the conditions under which they were collected and the effects of colonialism up to the present day.

Africa  Wooden figures and masks from Cameroon, ivory objects, traditional clothing from Namibia and the “bronzes” from the historic kingdom of Benin – many objects were taken from the African continent as a consequence of colonial rule. Further information

Oceania  In the vastness of the Pacific, the islands of Oceania appear small and isolated. For their local populations, however, the sea was never a barrier but a connected living space.For many, it is part of their identity, even today. The boats in the Humboldt Forum bear witness to their outstanding navigational and boat-building skills. Further information

Asia  Experience Khmer art, Chinese courtly art, Buddhist cave temples, religious rituals around the gods of India, Korean ceramic traditions, Indian miniature paintings, Asian shadow play, the global diversity of Islam or a tea ceremony in the tea house specially designed for the Humboldt Forum. Further information

The Americas Discover the Mesoamerican ball game, the the golden “Kazike” figure of the of the pre-Columbian Quimbaya, an elaborately painted Mayan cacao vessel or the monumental Cotzumalhuapa stelae from present-day Guatemala. Further information

Temporary Exhibitions Five additional temporary exhibitions will open in the Humboldt Forum. Developed by the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin together with communities from regions throughout the world, they are the result of many years of cooperation. They bring together different fields of knowledge and experience and, doing so, contribute to the forum character of the Humboldt Forum. Each exhibition has a distinct visual appeal and narrative style. Exhibits of the North American Omaha and Haida, the Indian Naga, questions about objects from Tanzania, and a presentation of sculptures from Africa, Asia, and Europe provide insights into different societies and their cultural practices. Further information

Open Storages Learn more about the 100-year history of the collection: Why were objects acquired? How were the works reinterpreted as cultural objects, art and historical evidence? Further information

Sounds of the World When and why do people make music? Get to the heart of the universal language of humanity – with three-dimensional sound installations in the listening room, the phonogram archive and instruments from all over the world. Further information

Family Spaces  Hands-on stations, a specially made boat to climb over and explore in the Oceania section, media stations specially designed for children and young people on the subject of everyday racism, or computer games based on colonial history in the Africa section: the family areas offer young visitors their own custom access to the objects and their stories. Further information

From Monday, 27.2. to Friday, 3.3. the West Wing on the 3rd floor will be closed to the public. (Among others, the sections Religious Art of South Asia, Northern Silk Road, Japan, China will not be on display).

The East Wing on the 3rd floor will be closed from Mon, 27 March to Thu, 6 April. On the intervening weekend from 1 to 2 April, the exhibition areas will be open. (The areas of Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Asian Theatre, among others, will not be on view).

From Mon, 6.3. to Fri, 17.3. the East Wing on the 2nd floor will be closed. On the intervening weekend from 11 to 12 March, the exhibition areas will be open. (The areas Africa, America and others will not be on display).

From Mon, 20.3. to Fri, 24.3. the West Wing on the 2nd floor will be closed to the public. (The areas of Oceania (boat cube), Sounds of the World and others will not be open to the public.)

Public Transportion: Underground: U5 Museumsinsel, Rotes Rathaus, S-Bahn: Alexander Platz, Friedrichstraße, Hackescher Markt, Bus: 100, 200, 300, 147, N5