11.12.2014
Museum Europäischer Kulturen
Christmas is said to be the most widely celebrated holiday, observed by both Christians, as well as secular Europeans, whose cultural landscape is deeply engraved with Christian traditions. Drawing from its diverse collections of historical Christmas decorations and devotionalia, the Museum Europäischer Kulturen has "decked the halls," offering visitors several opportunities to celebrate, as well as reconsider the traditions of Christmas.
In the Foyer
The collection of Christmas tree ornaments, which decorate the 4-meter high Christmas tree in the Museum's Foyer represent regional techniques and traditions from Northern and Southern Germany as well as the Czech Republic. Nearby, the Museum's "Showcase of Current Events" focuses on the traditional Sinterklaas festivities in the Netherlands, and the recent debates in the media around the depiction of De Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), Sinterklaas' (Saint Nicholas') helper.
Exhibitions
Every Saturday at 11:30 during the Advent season, as well as on December 27th, the Museum offers a guided tour of the extraordinary "Mechanical Nativity Scene", a highlight of the permanent collection. Also in our permanent collection, you can find a number of nativity scenes.
The exhibition "Feeling War," shows that Christmas is also an emotionally loaded festivity during times of war. This is portrayed by letters of two lovers from Berlin-Neukölln and a field post with a miniature Christmas tree from the First World War.
Advent Calendar Call
Visitors to the Museum Europäischer Kulturen are also invited to contribute, in the form of photos and stories, to the development of an exhibition of Advent Calendars planned for end 2015.
More information