What do Freddie Mercury and Hannah Arendt have in common? Besides being stars in their respective fields, both were forced to leave their home countries due to violence and oppression. They are just two famous figures amongst the millions of people who over decades – indeed centuries – have been uprooted from their native lands. Their stories will be at the heart of the Exilmuseum, a planned exhibition space dedicated to the topic of exile. Located on the site of the former Anhalter Bahnhof near Potsdamer Platz, the museum will focus on those who fled Nazi Germany as well as more recent expulsions. The building is set to open in 2026 but you can already get a preview of what is to come at the Werkstatt, located on Fasanenstraße in Charlottenburg. Run by the Exilmuseum foundation, the space hosts exhibits that introduce you to some of the most gripping exile stories – such as that of architect Victor Gruen, who left Austria for New York in 1938 and went on to invent the modern-day shopping mall.
The Werkstatt also hosts regular events, including on 12.05.2023 a reading and discussion with Barbara von Bechtolsheim, author of the book Hannah Arendt und Heinrich Blücher: Biografie eines Paares about Arendt’s relationship with her husband Heinrich Blücher. On 17.05, the museum will invite women forced to flee contemporary conflicts for the special event I Never Said Goodbye: Women in Exile. Activities are also planned: this Saturday (06.05) you can join a free dance workshop with choreography duo Yamila Khodr and Sami Similae. In short: plenty to keep us occupied until the grand opening of the museum proper in 2026.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Till Budde / Credit: Dorte Mandrup/MIR; Stiftung Exilmuseum
Werkstatt Exilmuseum, Fasanenstr.24, 10719 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
For upcoming events check out the website.
