The Exilmuseum Berlin: a place of unforgettable stories, a place of reflection, a place of empathy. A place that fosters understanding of the word exile and in doing so takes a stand against totalitarianism and inhumanity.
Joachim Gauck, Bundespräsident a.D., Schirmherr des Exilmuseums
“There is not one place in this country where the content, where the meaning of the word exile can be portrayed by individual fates. An exile museum could provide younger Germans the opportunity to learn more on the subject. It could prove an education in compassion and empathy. The risk of flight, the unsettled and bewildering life in exile, the unfamiliarity, fear and homesickness.”
“The focus of the exile museum should be exile in Nazi Germany. This unprecedented catastrophe for those who were banished and lost everything, and the catastrophe for Germany, which expelled its most important artists and its best scientists within a very short period of time. But this period, of course, also draws attention to the refugees who are now finding their way to us. That makes an understanding of the word exile and all it signifies much more important.”
In an open letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2009, Herta Müller advocated already a “museum of exile”. She supports the new Exilmuseum in Berlin as patron.
Christoph Stölzl and Cornelia Vossen about the origins of the Exilmuseum
The Museum …
… seeks out the life stories hidden behind statistics and abstract encyclopedia entries. With an emphasis on the 20th century, the exhibition focuses on the fates of individual people. They are the actors and bearers of exile history.
… traces the experiences of exile based on specific motives, issues and topics, and thus provides visitors with an emotional, close-up view of the subject.
… makes historical backgrounds comprehensible and in doing so, recognizes emigration from the areas under Nazi government as an injustice which still concerns us. What can we learn from this historical experience for today?
… tells of the forced emigration following 1933, with the knowledge that the century of exile has not yet come to an end. How have flight and displacement become major experiences of our era? What changes in the 20th century have led us to speak of the "century of exile"?
… looks to the present: Over 65 million people are currently displaced – 1 out of every 113 people is affected. What connects being in exile today with that of the past?
… tells how the exodus from Central Europe also became a transnational transfer of ideas. It shows how migration changes cultural patterns in a significant way – an awareness that is of increasing importance for a peaceful coexistence in our globalized world.
Announcements, dates, events
Exhibition: PLACE
Dorte Mandrup's design for Exilmuseum, with a façade that with a huge arch stretches around the ruins of the portal to Anhalter Bahnhof, will enrich Berlin’s architecture. Now an exhibition at Aedes Architecture Forum provides a special opportunity not only to get to know the work of this architect, but to give a sense of what Exilmuseum will be like.
More ...
Public participation has started
As part of the early public participation process, the designs plans are on display at the Bezirksamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg until July 8 and can be commented on. The input will be incorporated into the further planning.
Bezirksamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Fachbereich Stadtplanung, 5. OG
Yorckstr. 4–11, 10965 Berlin
The documents are also available online:
Bezirksamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Virtual Exhibition
The exhibition ZU/FLUCHT lives on! Visit the finished exhibition at any time from home at: virtual.reality.travel/zu-flucht
Beneath the Surface
Diggers arrived at Anhalter Bahnhof ready to explore the grounds and investigate what’s hidden beneath the surface. Might we find foundations of the historic train station? Tunnels? Old ammunition? The results will significantly impact the development of our building project.
The Journey Continues
The exhibition containers were once homes for refugee families in Berlin, then to our temporary exhibition ZU/FLUCHT, and now their journey continues. Almost all the exhibition elements have found new homes including Bauhütte Kreuzberg and two youth clubs.
Exhibition ZU/FLUCHT
In just a few days our open-air exhibition "ZU/FLUCHT" at Anhalter Bahnhof Berlin will come to an end. On Thursday, October 28, you will have a last chance to meet our team in person, ask questions and get a tour through the exhibition.
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
COME TOGETHER – Exile, Museum, Music
One day packed with events! From panel discussions with outstanding guests to a Q&A with the architect of the Exilmuseum, Dorte Mandrup. In the evening live music by ILLAY.
For more information visit www.zuflucht.org
Afghanistan – Thoughts from Exile
Author Massum Faryar reads from his book Buskaschi oder Der Teppich meiner Mutter, followed by a discussion concerning the current situation in Afghanistan with Faryar, journalist Nadine Kreuzahler, as well as designer and women's rights activist Laila Noor.
www.zuflucht.org
A Sunday at Anhalter Bahnhof
Look forward to a variety of activities such as guided tours through the exhibition, children's program, conversations with people in exile, a workshop on the planned Exile Museum, and much more.
We look forward to meeting you!
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
Dorte Mandrup is Architect of the Year
Congratulations: The architect of the Exilmuseum, Dorte Mandrup, is awarded the "Architect of the Year" prize. The Iconic Awards for Innovative Architecture are presented by the German Design Council.
My Story – my Museum (Workshop)
We’re inviting refugees to come tell their story. What item remains especially linked to your journey into exile? We want to hear your story and what you’d like to see at the Exilmuseum.
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
Short Film + Discussion
The short documentary "13 Square Meters" provides a provocative perspective on Berlin's refugee housing. Referencing the research project "Architectures of Asylum" at the TU Berlin, the film puts the shelter's initial design into question by examining how refugees rearranged their space revealing their limitations.
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
Urban Gardening
Taking roots at Anhalter Bahnhof: The Exilmuseum would like to get to know its new neighbors. Gardening together in the open-air exhibition is a good way to start.
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
Furniture Building
Here you can contribute to the exhibition ZU/FLUCHT! Under the direction of students from the TU, you can help build seating for the planned events. Anyone who enjoys working with their hands or is willing to learn is invited.
For more information: www.zuflucht.org
Exhibition Opening
For more information www.zuflucht.org
Driven x Design Award Programs
The design for the Exilmuseum was awarded the Berlin Design Award in Silver. It was curated into the awards as part of the 'Elevate Hope' campaign. Thank you! Award page ...
Student Seminar
Over the course of two semesters, students at the TU Berlin are developing a "Tempohome" for the Exilmuseum. As part of the seminar, they are redesigning former housing containers for refugees in order to draw attention to the project at the future location of the museum. The realisation of the project is envisaged.
Info on seminar ...
Lecture on the Exilmuseum
We were recently invited to present our plans for the Exilmuseum via online lecture at the British festival “Insiders/Outsiders.” You can watch the video here (in English).
Exhibition of Designs
The exhibition includes all of the submitted designs, making them available to the public for the first time.
Duration: Sept 29–Oct 17, 2020
Location: Foyer of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
Potsdamer Str. 33, 10785 Berlin
Admission is free
for Professor Dr. Christoph Stölzl
Our founding director was awarded the Großes Bundesverdienstkreuz (the Great Federal Commander’s Cross of Merit) from the German federal government on September 15, 2020. The high honor was given in recognition of Professor Stölz's service in the historical reappraisal of World War II and the Holocaust, among other things.
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Announcing the Winner
Congratulations! Danish architect Dorte Mandrup has won first prize in the design competition for the new Exilmuseum building.
More Information …
Interview about the Exilmuseum
The blog "Entwicklungsstadt" deals with the architecture and urban development of Berlin. Our managing director Meike-Marie Thiele answered questions about the status of architectural planning and what the Exilmuseum is all about.
Open Interview ... (In German and English)
Interim Presentation
Half time in the architectural competition for the new museum building. In February, all competitors had the chance to discuss their design approaches with the jury for the first time.
Donations to the Exilmuseum
The foundation received a substantial donation on the occasion of the 80. birthday of former German president Joachim Gauck. When our official patron noted that he'd be glad to receive donations to the Exilmuseum in lieu of birthday presents, the response was an overwhelming 110,000 euros. We warmly thank all donors.
International recognition
At the friendly invitation of the Federal Foreign Office, we presented our project to ambassadors from all over the world on Nov. 18, 2019. Increasingly, we are networking with international cooperation partners, interested parties and sponsors.
Academic consultant has passed away
In September 2019, academic adviser to the Exilmuseum Foundation, Prof Dr Claus-Dieter Krohn, passed away very unexpectedly. His scientific expertise and his friendship will be missed. To the obituary ...
'Tagesspiegel' of 12 May 2019
Our project takes shape: Peter von Becker provides a detailed background report on the Exilmuseum in the Sunday edition of "Tagesspiegel" newspaper.
Read article ... (in German)
Design seminar on the Exilmuseum
How to develop the corporate design for a new museum? Supervised by Dipl.-Des. Katharina Lemke the students of the communication design faculty at HTW Berlin spent a semester working on the future Exilmuseum. The diversity of the results impressed and inspired us.
Fmr. Federal President Joachim Gauck
We are delighted that former German President Joachim Gauck has decided to support our project by becoming a patron alongside Nobel Prize laureate Herta Müller.
Press Release ... (In German)
Record proceeds for the Exilmuseum
"The art market event of the year" (Welt am Sonntag) met with great interest in advance. At the auction of Bernd Schultz's private art collection, a sensational 6 million Euro were raised as start-up capital for the Exilmuseum.
Press release by Grisebach ... (In German)
Making exile comprehensible
Herta Müller and Christoph Stölzl were invited to the Körber Foundation in Hamburg on October 18 to talk about the contents and perspectives of the Exilmuseum. Host: Sven Tetzlaff, Reading: Katharina Schütz.
Watch video ... (in German)
The first interview for the museum
The first interview with a contemporary witness took place: The filmmaker and journalist Georg Stefan Troller (97) impressed us with his alertness and clarity with which he spoke about the experience of exile.
Watch video ... (in German)
Auctions to benefit the Exilmuseum
The private collection of Bernd Schultz, including works by Watteau, Matisse and Picasso, will be auctioned at the Grisebach auction house on October 25/26, 2018 under the title "A Farewell and a New Beginning". The proceeds will go to the Exilmuseum.
Watch video ...
Visiting the annual conference
On 14.09.2018, Cornelia Vossen and Christoph Stölzl presented their plans for the Exilmuseum at the annual conference of the Society for Exile Research. The topic of the conference was "Archives and Museums of Exile". An article in the corresponding yearbook will follow in 2019.
Media coverage takes off
When the plans to erect a new building at Anhalter Bahnhof were announced, many media reported on the Exilmuseum. Here is a selection (in German only):
Deutschlandfunk, 29.07.2018
Tagesspiegel, 19.07.2018
Berliner Morgenpost, 07.07.2018
1/2018
The special focus of the first edition of the Museum Journal 2018 is "exile". It also contains an article on our vision for the Exilmuseum.
Read article ... (in German)
Our Team is Complete
Our team formed at the end of 2017. We now have a combined force of competences in the areas of exile research, exhibition concept development, film-, multimedia- and audio production, interactive applications, memorial site education and project management.
Ludwigkirchplatz 2
The Foundation Exilmuseum Berlin has moved into its office space on Ludwigkirchplatz 2. The photo shows one of our sun-filled rooms and Prof. Dr. Claus-Dieter Krohn's library, which will enrich and support our work.
Werkstatt
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Donation
The first large donation made to the Exilmuseum Berlin: 158 portraits of emigrants by Stefan Moses.
In the fall of 2017, Stefan Moses (1928-2018), the grand seigneur of German portrait photography, gifted the museum 158 of his large-format portraits of German emigrants taken between 1947 and 2003.
Info and Downloads
You can find all the latest news and press materials about the architectural competition for the Exilmuseum Berlin here ...
Contact:
Meike-Marie Thiele
Stiftung Exilmuseum Berlin
Ludwigkirchplatz 2
10719 Berlin
Phone +49 30 767 339 124
presse@exilmuseum.berlin
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Newsletter Archive:
#6|2021
March 2019
Exilmuseum Berlin: Vision and Background:
View PDF (4 MB)
A civic initiative started by the art dealer and co-founder of the Villa Grisebach, Bernd Schultz, and the Nobel Prize laureate Herta Müller provided the impetus for the Exilmuseum Berlin. The associated foundation, the Stiftung Exilmuseum Berlin, was established in 2018.
The Museum strives to forge partnerships and collaborations with existing institutions and archives working on the topic of exile.
Stiftung Exilmuseum Berlin
Patrons
Herta Müller
Joachim Gauck
Executive Board
André Schmitz
Bernd Schultz
Kai Drabe
Ruth Ur
Johannes Wien
Board of Trustees
Prof. Dr. Peter Raue
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
Michael Beckel
Kristin Feireiss
Axel Ganz
Prof. Dr. Daniel Koerfer
Konstanza Prinzessin zu Löwenstein
Gabi Quandt
Dr. Chana Schütz
Robert Unger
Academic Advisory Board
t.b.a.
Founding Director
Prof. Dr. Christoph Stölzl
Curator
Cornelia Vossen
Managing Director
Meike-Marie Thiele
Assistence to the Managing Director
Nicole Skoczowsky
Academic Research
Sarah Blendin
Dana Müller
Philipp Sukstorf
Your Personal Story
Did you yourself, your family or friends flee from Nazism to a foreign country? What stories can you tell about exile, flight and emigration, persecution, life in a foreign country, about farewells and new beginnings? We would be honored and glad if you told us about your experiences. Please contact us sending a brief summary of your story either by post or by email:
info@exilmuseum.berlin
Contact
Stay informed:
Sign up for our Newsletter
Stiftung Exilmuseum Berlin
Ludwigkirchplatz 2
10719 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 30 7673 3912 0
info@exilmuseum.berlin
We are grateful for financial support!
IBAN: DE81 1007 0100 0298 8244 00
BIC: DEUTDEBB101
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Resonance
Statements on the Exilmuseum Berlin