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Weekend Tips: What to Do This Weekend in Berlin
April 24 to 26, 2026: Events, festivals, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. more
Conservation in Dialogue
Röntgenaufnahme der zentralen Figur des Lamas im Gungervaa (mongolischer Holzschrein) – Röntgenaufnahme der zentralen Figur des Lamas im Gungervaa (mongolischer Holzschrein)
© Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum, Foto: Christoph Schmidt
Conservation is a fascinating but often hidden professional field in museums. What is preserved and how, and who makes the decisions?
This exhibition sheds light on various aspects of this important work.Before the Humboldt Forum opened, thousands of exhibits from different regions of the world, including many ‘cultural belongings’ – these belongings form part of a society’s cultural heritage – were prepared for the exhibitions by conservators. Such work is mainly carried out behind the scenes and is barely visible to visitors.
On display are two crest poles from the Northwest coast of Canada, an ornate lacquer cabinet from the Qing Dynasty, a Mongolian shrine from the 20th century and a ceremonial pipe from the Umoⁿhoⁿ in Nebraska.
These five exhibits and a booklet with in-depth information provide fascinating insights into conservation and restoration issues and methods.The exhibition is centered around the complex decision-making processes that influence the preservation and presentation of cultural assets. A focus lies on dialogue and cooperation between international partners, conservators and curators.
How do these discussions influence the handling, conservation and presentation of collections?
- 3rd floor, room 301, access via the entrance to the Museum of Asian Art
- Languages: German, English
- Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Tue: closed
This exhibition sheds light on various aspects of this important work.Before the Humboldt Forum opened, thousands of exhibits from different regions of the world, including many ‘cultural belongings’ – these belongings form part of a society’s cultural heritage – were prepared for the exhibitions by conservators. Such work is mainly carried out behind the scenes and is barely visible to visitors.
On display are two crest poles from the Northwest coast of Canada, an ornate lacquer cabinet from the Qing Dynasty, a Mongolian shrine from the 20th century and a ceremonial pipe from the Umoⁿhoⁿ in Nebraska.
These five exhibits and a booklet with in-depth information provide fascinating insights into conservation and restoration issues and methods.The exhibition is centered around the complex decision-making processes that influence the preservation and presentation of cultural assets. A focus lies on dialogue and cooperation between international partners, conservators and curators.
How do these discussions influence the handling, conservation and presentation of collections?
- 3rd floor, room 301, access via the entrance to the Museum of Asian Art
- Languages: German, English
- Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Tue: closed
Runtime: Sat, 24/05/2025 to Mon, 01/06/2026
Price info: Since October 3, 2025, the Humboldt Forum has had a new pricing model:
With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.
Many areas and programmes are still accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin (from 10 October), the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.
Price: €14.00
Reduced price: €7.00
Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.
With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.
Many areas and programmes are still accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin (from 10 October), the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.
Price: €14.00
Reduced price: €7.00
Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.
Takes place here:
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