Anoha is probably the coolest children’s exhibition in Berlin and dispels any old-fashioned notions you might have about museums. Serving as the youngster’s wing of the Jewish Museum, the space opened in summer 2021 and is a great place for kindergarten and elementary school children to explore, play, run and discover. The focus of the exhibition is the biblical story of Noah’s ark, the huge boat used by Noah to save all the animals from the great flood. The space is home to animals big and small – polar bears, camels, a giraffe whose neck is a slide – as well as rain effects and of course the ark itself. Children are invited to accompany the animal passengers and look after them during the journey before everyone disembarks the vessel together. Through play, children are encouraged to respect the coexistence of humans, animals and nature. The presence of extinct and endangered species like the giant sloth and orangutan draws attention to environmental problems and our role in causing and overcoming them. This playful place is the result of an innovative collaboration: the US firm Olson Kundig was responsible for conceiving the museum, with a special children’s council involved in its future development.
Text: Marianna Hillmer / Photos: Yves Sucksdorff
Hamburg-born Marianna Hillmer is co-founder of the independent travel book publisher Reisedepeschen. She lives with her family in Schöneberg.
Anoha – The Children’s World of the Jewish Museum Berlin
Fromet–und–Moses–Mendelssohn–Platz, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Tue–Fri 9–13h, Sat–Sun 10h30–16h
