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Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum is a large-scale museum project in Berlin, located at the site of the City Palace. It is expected to open in 2019.

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All Content on this topic

04.2016 Check-in (Sendungslogo)

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Winter in Berlin is cold, wet, and gray! Nevertheless, Lukas Stege has a lot of fun visiting the newly opened Humboldt Forum, the Spy Museum, and the Botanical Garden, and more.
CultureFebruary 11, 202325:59 min
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India's ancient Buddhist gate has new replica in Berlin

A replica of the ancient Sanchi gate now stands in front of Berlin Palace, adding an exotic new attraction to the city.
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Famous Benin bronzes are among the items on display as the east wing of the Humboldt Forum opens.

Germany: Humboldt Forum opens all doors

Famous Benin bronzes are among the items on display as the east wing of the Humboldt Forum opens.
CultureSeptember 24, 202202:35 min
Ancient bronze works.

Completed Humboldt Forum opens in Berlin

The last section of the Humboldt Forum museum is inaugurated. Its highlights: the Benin Bronzes, considered looted art.
CultureSeptember 16, 2022
Benin Bronzes displayed in Berlin's Humboldtforum museum

Benin Bronzes go on display in Berlin

The artifacts were looted during the colonial era, but Germany agreed to return the ones in their possession to Nigeria.
CultureSeptember 15, 2022
an animal figure sculpted in ivory.

Germany returns Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

A groundbreaking step in looted art history: Germany transfers the ownership of 1,130 bronzes to Nigeria.
ArtsJuly 2, 2022
Annabelle Steffes-Halmer

Looted art restitution is only the start

Annabelle Steffes-Halmer
Despite the return of looted art to Africa, colonialist thinking in Europe is far from being eliminated.
CultureJanuary 2, 2022
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Shadowy secrets in german museums

For centuries, Europe lusted after exotic treasures from all over the world.
HistoryDecember 11, 202126:01 min
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Two people stand next to a huge ancient sailing ship at the Humboldt Forum museum.

Humboldt Forum tackles colonial issue

Berlin's Humboldt Forum has reacted to criticism surrounding its handling of colonial history. Will critics approve?
ArtsSeptember 22, 2021
external

Controversial museum opens

The Humboldt Forum is the German capital's most ambitious cultural project in decades.
CultureJuly 25, 202102:32 min
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Colonial legacy: Where do Africa's treasures belong?

Between the looted art debate and provenance research: Behind the scenes at Berlin’s Humboldt Forum.
CultureJuly 24, 202126:01 min
People sitting at cafe tables with umbrellas in the inner courtyard of the Humboldt Forum.

Berlin's controversial Humboldt Forum opens

Berlin's new Humboldt Forum may be open, but it's still mired in debate about colonialism and museum collections.
CultureJuly 20, 2021
Commissioner for Culture and the Media Monika Grütters wearing a blue dress and smiling into the camera.

Culture commissioner Grütters reflects on years in office

Monika Grütters spoke with DW about aid for culture during the pandemic, the looted art debate and the Humboldt Forum.
CultureJuly 16, 2021
Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz l Nigerianische Delegation besucht Berlin

Benin bronzes: Nigerian delegation in Berlin

As Nigeria is open to a gradual return of the artifacts, the Benin bronzes could be shown in Berlin's Humboldt Forum.
ArtsJuly 9, 2021
Bilder Dokus KW 26 | Humboldt Forum

The Humboldt Forum - A palace for Berlin and the world?

A very German story has ended with the completion of the Humboldt Forum.
SocietyJune 30, 202142:30 min
Outdoor cafes in the courtyard of the Berlin Palace.

Berlin Palace opens its gates

The courtyard of the reconstructed palace, which houses the Humboldt Forum museum, is now open to the public.
CultureJune 9, 2021
Deutschland | Eröffnung Humboldt Forum in Berlin

Humboldt Forum faces new criticism

The Humboldt Forum in Berlin is scheduled to open its doors this summer. But will it actually?
CultureJune 1, 2021
A wooden boat with sails

'Looted' boat to be shown at Berlin's Humboldt Forum

A new book reveals how a boat taken from the South Pacific ended up in Germany. Will it spark a new restitution debate?
CultureMay 13, 2021
To The Point I 06.05.2021 I Totale

Africa's stolen treasures: Time to give them back?

The return of the Benin Bronzes: A turning point in Germany's approach to its colonial past?
PoliticsMay 6, 202126:01 min
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Berlin between standstill, movement, and online mode.
CultureApril 3, 202126:06 min
Bildergalerie Resist-Ausstellung in Köln

Debate over Benin bronzes

Will the Benin Bronzes be showcased in Berlin's Humboldt Forum or will they be returned to Nigeria?
March 31, 202103:45 min
A Benin bronze art object, head in an exhibition context

New debate about Benin Bronzes in Germany

The debate about looted colonial art in German museums has gained new momentum. Even the foreign minister has chimed in.
CultureMarch 26, 2021
Dr. Harrison Mwilima

Opinion: Africa must unite to demand stolen art's return

Harrison Mwilima
Africans must work together to push for the restitution of art looted during the colonial era, says Harrison Mwilima.
CultureDecember 21, 2020
Deutschland | Eröffnung Humboldt Forum in Berlin

Something new in the German capital

BER airport has finally opened. And Humboldt Forum will soon follow suit.
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New and old at the same time: The Berlin Palace

After 8 years of construction, the Berlin Palace is here, and the Humboldt Forum opens digitally.
ArchitectureDecember 19, 202003:41 min
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PoliticsDecember 17, 202030:00 min
The Humboldt Forum

Berlin's Humboldt Forum launches

The debate around looted art has intensified just as Berlin's new museum opens.
CultureDecember 16, 2020
Looted artworks from Bening

African activists try to return of colonial-era artworks

Is activism a way of putting pressure on countries to return looted exhibits from the colonial era?
HistoryOctober 16, 2020
Deutschland | Humboldtforum in Berlin

Humboldt Forum to open in 2020

Postponed several times, the opening of the large-scale Berlin should take place before the end of the year.
CultureOctober 8, 2020
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Africa's colonial overlords brutally stripped it of countless cultural treasures.
SocietySeptember 3, 202042:36 min
The cross being readied for the dome of the Berlin Palace

Cross causes controversy atop Berlin Palace

Critics say Germany is missing a chance to portray post-colonial multicultural diversity.
CultureMay 29, 2020
Fire on Humboldt Forum construction site

Germany: Fire at Berlin's Humboldt Forum leaves one injured

A fire at the construction site of a cultural and exhibition centre in Berlin has left one person injured.
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Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)

Measuring Humboldt

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Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 15, 201902:19 min
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Humboldt 'topical as ever'

The insights of 19th century scientist Alexander von Humboldt are as 'topical as ever,' says Germany's culture minister.
PoliticsSeptember 14, 2019
Humboldtpinguin, Spheniscus humboldti

What's in a name? The Humboldt edition

The name Alexander von Humboldt may not be instantly recognizable, but it is plastered across the globe.
ScienceSeptember 12, 201910 images
Alexander von Humboldt in his library in Berlin

Alexander von Humboldt: A 19th century German home story

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Berlin has a unique treasure trove: the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.
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Museums in Berlin are an experience in themselves

"Berlin's Treasure Trove" shows just how many stories are hidden in museums. DW's Rolf Rische comments on the project.
CultureJune 19, 2019
Deutschland Berlin | Baustelle Berliner Schloss

The history of the Berlin City Palace

The new Berlin City Palace, now called "Humboldt Forum," will house non-European art collections. A closer look.
CultureJune 19, 201910 images
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The Mandu Yenu throne: A gift from the colonial era

The Mandu Yenu throne from the African Bamum tribe is the subject of recurring discussions about looted art.
CultureJune 17, 201903:59 min
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Berlin's ambitious Humboldt Forum museum project delayed

Housed in Berlin's reconstructed Prussian palace, the Humboldt Forum is postponing its opening planned for 2019.
CultureJune 12, 2019