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 

@anohaberlin

Joy of Life – that’s the name of the dance work that is reopening Hebbel am Ufer’s main stage this week, and it’s the perfect message to celebrate the relaunch of Berlin’s performing arts scene. As you approach the doors of HAU 1 on the banks of the Landwehrkanal you can already hear lively music coming from the stage. On show is a dance work from director Ersan Mondtag, who is known for his experimental and interdisciplinary works and has gathered professional dancers, actors and young talents from Berlin’s Kinder Ballett Kompanie for their first choreographic piece together. It is a committed performance which touches on topics such as migration, climate change and how new generations are fighting for their future. The narrative draws on testimonies of Fridays for Future supporters and the tales of young people who have made torturous journeys from Africa to Europe across the Mediterranean.

The dance is in constant evolution with the narrative arc, going from simple, exercise-like, movements to harmonious choreography. The fascinating scenery with a turning stage, video projections, floating background and colorful props transport you to the same limbo as felt by the dancers, leaving you thinking and reflecting on your own beliefs. You don’t have to be a dance lover to feel the emotions conveyed in the performance; it encourages you to ask yourself what brings you joy – and one of the first answers must surely be the theater.

Text: Harmony Leveque / Photos: Armin Smailovic
 
Harmony Leveque works as a project and production manager in the field of contemporary dance in Berlin, Bielefeld and her home country of France.

HAU 1, Stresemannstr.29, 10963 Berlin–Kreuzberg, map
Joy of Life is showing on 24. & 25.06.2021 20h. Tickets are available online.

@hauberlin