Press Information Berlin, November 2nd, 2016 Base camp for a world journey The Humboldt Forum starts now Those who seek to understand the world go to the Humboldt Forum What defines man and nature? How do we perceive life? How do we face death? How does belief affect society? And migration? And climate change? People have pondered existential questions throughout the ages and in all cultures. In the Humboldt Forum, Berliners and visitors from all over Germany and the world can find answers to these questions and pose some of their own. With their outstanding objects, the Berlin collections offer diverse insights and per- spectives with a modern presentation in the Humboldt Forum and in associa- tion with academic and research institutions. In the heart of the capital, cen- trally located, we can explore the world as a whole. As a forum for the people, the Humboldt Forum is not only open to everyone in physical terms; it also invites everyone to exchange ideas about its contents. The main actors are the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK) with the Ethnolo- gisches Museum and the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, the Kulturprojekte Ber- lin with the Stadtmuseum Berlin and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. To- gether with the collections of the Museum Island, the non-European collections of the SPK in particular will generate a new appeal in the heart of Berlin. They present a unique concentration of objects, which includes everyday objects, spiritual objects and works of art. Likewise, science and scholarship are not just depicted here, they are presented as a creative force. Considering nature, culture, research and education The starting point for all research and knowledge is always found in the individ- ual objects and works of art from the collections as well as in their original envi- ronment. The exhibits can only be researched and reinterpreted together with their societies of origin. How are spiny oysters, cotton, Peruvian boobies and the climate phenomenon El Niño connected? In these, we can see the interconnect- edness of the world, the foreign in the familiar and the familiar in the foreign. Using this methodology, the Humboldt Forum conveys well-founded current knowledge and challenges thought patterns and institutional boundaries. Ongo- ing collaborations are planned with curators from the countries of origin, with the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the Botanischer Garten und Bontanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, both for the special and temporary exhibitions and for the permanent ones. With the transfer of the Berlin Phonogram Archives of the Ethnologisches Museum and the sound archives of the Humboldt-Universität Page 2/14 zu Berlin, linguistic research is also taking a central role in the Humboldt Fo- rum. However, the Humboldt Forum is far more than an additive programme of ex- isting institutions. The Humboldt Forum offers unmistakable insights into im- portant issues for the worlds of today and tomorrow by bringing together differ- ent cultures and perspectives. Issues such as migration, religion and globalisa- tion are being reexamined. Because of this, visitors are able to experience more than just individual exhibits. The entire living world from the arts to science and even everyday culture are provided a space of living resonance. This distin- guishes the Humboldt Forum from conventional museums. And this rediscov- ered way of working, part of the Humboldtian worldview, starts now. Humboldt Academy In the Humboldt Forum, new knowledge is taught using an interdisciplinary ap- proach and is acquired through active participation. In the space for the origi- nally planned special library on the first floor, the founding directorate envi- sions an ideal location for the establishment of a central exhibition area. In this location, the Humboldt Academy will emerge and create an environment in which children, adolescents and adults can explore objects and topics of the Humboldt Forum. In cooperation with the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the offerings of Kulturprojekte Berlin, a knowledge and education portal is be- ing opened onto all the worlds of the Humboldt Forum. The cultural technique of collecting and knowledge acquisition serves as the connecting, universally fascinating topic – from the past to the present. Looking back to the future The Palace of the Hohenzollern, public parade grounds, the Palace of the Re- public and finally a grassy meadow – more than almost anywhere else in Berlin, social, urban, political and cultural developments have been concentrated on the Schlossplatz. The founding directors propose making the traces of history visible with interventions throughout the building beginning in 2019 – in addi- tion to the planned archaeological lower level and sculpture hall. For that, there will be a collaboration with the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Stadtmuseum Berlin. Free admission The Berlin collections belong to everyone. Therefore, the founding directorate is considering providing free admission, a move Federal Government Commis- sioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters views as indispensable – not least because of the Berlin tradition of Alexander von Humboldt’s freely accessi- ble Cosmos lectures. This initiative sends the message that the collections in the Humboldt Forum really are "shared heritage" and only fulfil their purpose if ex- perienced by as many people as possible. Free admission both restores a balance and sends a clear message in a world of enormous and ever-growing inequality: The greatest things are equally accessible to everyone. In addition, free admis- sion has a positive influence on the interest of the local population in particular. Page 3/14 A diverse programme – far beyond the centre of Berlin From Spandau to Köpenick, Pankow to Zehlendorf and with the Goethe-Insti- tuts throughout the world – the Humboldt Forum is expanding its sphere of in- fluence with the completion of the Berlin Palace. This includes the development of a digital strategy and the building of a virtual presence providing free, com- prehensive and easy access to the latest findings. The launch coincides with the opening of the exhibition, "Extremes! Nature, Culture and the Humboldt Current" on November 2nd, 2016 in the Humboldt Box. It exemplifies the interdisciplinary and cooperative approach of the Hum- boldt Forum. The Ethnologisches Museum, the Stadtmuseum Berlin, the Hum- boldt-Universität, the Museum für Naturkunde and the Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum are pooling their objects and expertise for this presenta- tion, using the example of the West Coast of South America to illustrate how complex natural and cultural worlds are intertwined. "Extremes!" is the first in a series of three yearly exhibitions, presented in different languages with discus- sions, lectures, guided tours and workshops. As the building grows, so does the programme. With additional new film for- mats, a Humanities Festival and academic and artistic interventions, the Hum- boldt Forum is influencing the entire urban space together with partners such as the Berlinale and the Internationale Garten Ausstellung (IGA). This is how the main actors are initiating a dialogue with different people and groups, gath- ering new ideas and enabling participation free from ethnic and social hierar- chies. Design, planning and preparation of the cultural activities of the Humboldt Fo- rum is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media on the basis of a resolution passed by the German Bundestag. New website Further information about the Humboldt Forum, from the main actors to indi- vidual events, is available on the new website at www.humboldtforum.com. Page 4/14 Programme 2017 Encounters and a lively exchange of ideas These are the keywords for our diverse programme of exhibitions and events. Personalities from science, art, religion, economics and politics, of both national and international origin, extend the perspectives of the Humboldt Forum. The programme makes integration in all areas of life into an experience and con- nects the main actors of the Humboldt Forum with its visitors, the city and the world. Specially initiated exhibitions and events as well as projects within Berlin and with international partners share the ideas of the Humboldt Forum with the en- tire city, with each partner building on the other's subject matter. With a special offering for young visitors and families, the Humboldt Forum is providing fur- ther formats for the clear treatment of complex, global issues. Starting in March 2017, the Humboldt Forum will publish information on a quarterly schedule about other projects and about the continuous development and expansion of the programme. First exhibition of the management committee The first exhibition of the management committee, "Extremes! Nature, Culture and the Humboldt Current", begins with an example of a recent issue for today's world. How do man and nature adapt to an extreme environment and what links exist both between nature and culture and between local and global events. Using archaeological objects and examples of the flora and fauna of the region, the exhibition spans a wide spectrum of the scientific collections from the 19th century through to today's climate and environmental research, as well as Alex- ander von Humboldt’s still current idea of viewing nature and people as part of a single network. From November 2016 Other exhibitions in preparation Childhood Turning its