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DW
2 days ago
- DW
How Museum Island embodies Berlin's tumultuous history – DW – 05/30/2025
Initiated 200 years ago, Museum Island was in ruins after World War II. The UNESCO World Heritage site was reborn thanks to a master plan. Berlin's Museum Island uniquely encapsulates Germany's modern history — from the ideas of the Enlightenment to the destruction of World War II, from the Cold War era to its current ultra-modern restoration that has turned the ensemble of museums into a tourist magnet. Standing as a testimony to Europe's architectural and cultural developments, the historical complex of museum buildings was recognized by UNESCO in June 1999 as a World Heritage Site , and this year it is celebrating its 200th anniversary since the first building's foundation stone was laid. #DailyDrone: The Museum Island Berlin To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A legacy of the Enlightenment During the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815), when the French invaded the historic German kingdom of Prussia, many artworks were plundered from its capital, Berlin. When the looted works were returned after the war, Prussian leaders decided to create a museum to showcase the treasures publicly. The Altes Museum (Old Museum) was the first building in the series of five institutions that would later become known as Museum Island. Simply called the "Museum" in its early years, the Altes Museum's foundation stone was laid in 1825, and it opened in 1830. A historic illustration from 1885 shows the Altes Museum, the oldest building of Berlin's Museum Island complex Image: imageBROKER/picture alliance At the time, after decades of war, Prussia was economically and financially ruined, "and yet they invested in such a cultural building, hiring the best architect of the time, [Karl Friedrich] Schinkel," Hermann Parzinger, outgoing president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, tells DW. It's a fact he particularly likes to point out in the current context, as politicians question the importance of funding culture. Amid the ideals of the Enlightenment, education was recognized as a priority. Thinker and statesman Wilhelm von Humboldt viewed museums as an important pillar of the educational reform he developed. "The museum, as a space of the citizen's aesthetic education, was very important to him," explains Parzinger. "So it was more than just building a museum; there was a vision behind it, and art, together with science, played a very central role." A museum ensemble built over 100 years During the colonial era, the collection of ancient artifacts grew, along with leaders' aspiration to showcase German national Romantic artists. More museums were needed in Berlin to house those works. In the century that followed, four more major museums were therefore added to the complex located on the northern part of Spree Island, in the historic heart of Berlin: the Neues Museum (New Museum) opened in 1859; the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) followed in 1876; the Bode Museum (then the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum) came in 1904; and finally, the Pergamon Museum, designed to house the monumental Ishtar Gate of Babylon, was completed in 1930. The Pergamon was the last museum to be added to the original Museum Island complex Image: Thomas Robbin/imageBROKER/picture alliance Short-lived glory before World War II For a few years before World War II, Museum Island was one of the crown jewels of European culture. The Nazis celebrated the classical and ancient works in the Museum Island collections, which they saw as part of a supposed Aryan heritage. During World War II, museum officials partly evacuated valuable artifacts to underground bunkers, mines and castles across Germany. This move saved many exhibits — including the bust of Nefertiti and large portions of the Pergamon friezes — but also contributed to the dispersal of several other treasures. The bust of Nefertiti is housed in the Neues Museum and is one of Museum Island's most popular artefacts Image: Maurizio Gambarini/IMAGO After the war, when the Soviet Red Army occupied the area in May 1945, art collections throughout Germany were looted as war reparations. So-called Trophy Brigades of the Red Army sent millions of historical items to Moscow and St. Petersburg, with many landing in undocumented private collections. Many objects were later returned to Berlin in the 1950s, particularly during the rule of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, but it is estimated that around a million works of art, more than four million books and manuscripts, and a considerable number of archival materials are still kept in Russia and its neighboring countries. Even though German and Russian institutions developed common research efforts into those contested objects over the past decades, today, "because of the war [in Ukraine], everything is on hold and interrupted — and we don't know when we can resume these contacts," says Parzinger. Rebuilding Museum Island In divided Germany, Museum Island landed in East Berlin, under the control of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The communist state "simply didn't have the resources for reconstruction after 1945. The buildings were repaired, but not completely renovated," explains Parzinger. Many of the Museum Island buildings are neo-classical in style and feature elegant colonnades Image: Jürgen Ritter/IMAGO The Neues Museum, which had been particularly damaged, was left untouched, as a symbolic ruin of war. Parzinger clearly recalls his own visit to East Berlin as a student, in 1984 — decades before he became, in 2008, the president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which is the government body that oversees Berlin's state museums, including those that are part of Museum Island. His student visit is when he first saw the bombed-out shell of the Neues Museum: "I remember there were huge trees growing out from the stairwell. There was no roof, and you could see the crowns of the trees above the building. It was unbelievable to me." When the Berlin Wall came down, it was therefore essential to completely renovate the buildings and make them fit for the future, explains Parzinger. What's known as the Master Plan outlines the multi-phase restoration of the five museums that make up the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble. Museum Island's five buildings are being renovated as part of a decadeslong, multi-phase plan Image: Jens Kalaene/dpa/picture alliance An outstanding approach to restoration Certainly the most important restoration project was the resurrection of the Neues Museum. British architect David Chipperfield's design was initially met with strong resistance. He integrated the ruins into a new construction, working with the scars of war by leaving bullet holes and missing ceiling frescoes visible; purists opposed, calling for a restoration that would have been faithful to the original neoclassical building. But pushing through with this "magnificent concept" was the only right decision, says Parzinger enthusiastically, adding that he still keeps discovering new details every time he returns to the building. The renovated museum won numerous national and international architecture awards. David Chipperfield's design of the James Simon Gallery echoes the neo-classical style of historic buildings in a modern way Image: W. Wirth/Zoonar/picture alliance Housing the Egyptian museum and the papyrus collection, the Neues Museum's most famous exhibit is the pharaonic bust of Queen Nefertiti. Last year, a petition was launched to have the 3,370-year-old bust returned to Egypt. But for the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, there is nothing to discuss about its return: "Nefertiti came to Berlin as part of a completely legal, well-documented discovery," maintains Parzinger. Nevertheless, Parzinger has been a key figure in the restitution debate, particularly concerning the return of the Benin Bronzes and other objects with colonial histories. After 17 years at the helm of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, he is now retiring and being succeeded by Marion Ackermann. She becomes the new president of the foundation on June 1, just as festivities for Museum Island's 200th anniversary year are launched. "The 200th anniversary of Museum Island is a great opportunity for us to become even more attractive," Ackermann tells DW. As she takes over, the buildings' restoration will continue, as defined by the Museum Island Master Plan. One recent notable milestone in the completion of the plan was the opening of the James Simon Gallery in 2019. As a new addition to Museum Island, it serves as the main entrance, providing orientation to visitors. The Pergamon is currently closed until 2027 as it undergoes its makeover. The Altes Museum will be next. The Pergamon Museum closed in 2023 for renovations; it will reopen partially in 2027 and fully in 2037 Image: K-H Spremberg/Shotshop/picture alliance When all restorations are completed, four of the five historical buildings will then be connected by a handicap-accessible underground ramp known as the Archaeological Promenade, inspired by historic bridges between the museums that were destroyed during World War II. All additions and restorations contribute to further anchor Museum Island's status as Germany's blockbuster equivalent to the Louvre in Paris or the British Museum in London. By giving a new lease of life to the museum complex on the Spree River, Museum Island is set to keep reflecting Berlin's history for centuries to come. Edited by: Brenda Haas
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Follow the ethos of the UN for Earth's survival
ACCORDING to the order signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, 2025 has been officially declared as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty. And the reason is clear. Since the dawn of humanity, the necessity for norms has been evident, arising from human beings` capacity of reason and free will. Norms were established to safeguard the human mind/capacity of reason from descending into malevolence. Another crucial point that warrants emphasis is that the so-called "Wild World/Wild Nature" — which I personally find a misnomer — requires no normative structures, whereas norms are absolutely indispensable for human society. Among the core principles of the peace agreement proposed by Azerbaijan to Armenia in 2022 were respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the neighbouring countries. In ancient Greece and even in Confucianism, there was a concept/goal of common good. This concept, which has developed over time with the influence of various religious, political, ideological, conjunctural processes and other factors throughout the history, maintains its essence. This is Civilisation of Peaceful Coexistence. The main idea of Confucianism was: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire". Plato argued that a just society is one where everyone fulfils their role for the benefit of the whole. According to Plato the common good is linked to justice, harmony, and the moral development of citizens. Aristotle defined the common good as the flourishing (eudaimonia) of all citizens through virtue and civic participation while Cicero was advocating for laws that serve the common welfare. Al-Farabi envisioned the ideal society as one that aims toward the perfection and happiness of all its members — collective happiness/common good is achieved through the development of moral and intellectual virtues. St Thomas Aquinas defined the common good as the purpose of law and governance: peace, justice, and the flourishing of the community in alignment with divine law. Enlightenment thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that the general will (the collective interest) represents the common good. If everyone attempts to declare and impose their own version of "the good" upon the society they live in, chaos becomes inevitable. It is not the individual's benefit, but that which is reasonable and serves the common good of all, that constitutes the demand of universal ethos. The most comprehensive document serving the common good of world society is the United Nations Charter. The advancement of our level of civilisation is directly proportional to the strengthening of the UN Charter's constitutional authority. The devastating consequences of the First World War prompted humanity to recall the notion of the common good. In response, the League of Nations was established, and a (weak) mechanism was designed to secure global peace. Unfortunately, within the prevailing atmosphere shaped by the demands of humanity's then-level of civilisation, the League of Nations was stillborn. The absence of an effective mechanism to secure world peace flung the doors wide open to the Second World War. The tragic aftermath of the Second World War gave rise to a new organisation — the United Nations — emerging from the ashes of the League of Nations. Let us remember Article 2(1) of the UN Charter: "The Organisation is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members." This means that all member states, regardless of size or power, have equal rights and responsibilities under international law. Article 2(4) states that "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations." Within the framework of the UN Charter and, more broadly, international law, Azerbaijan ended Armenia's occupation by military means in 2020 and 2023. After patiently waiting for three decades for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884, Azerbaijan was ultimately compelled to enforce/fulfil them through military action in 2020 and 2023. As long as we remain committed to the UN Charter, we will begin to see our fundamental problems — and the grave dangers that await us — with greater clarity. Chief among these are poverty and climate change. Tomorrow may be too late. Let us not destroy our shared home — our Earth.
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- General
- Epoch Times
Reviving the Soul: Lessons From the Great Awakening
Imagine if a televangelist like Joel Osteen or Billy Graham made the front page of every newspaper in America. Not because of a scandal, but simply out of enthusiasm for their spiritual message. This is what happened in 1739, when English minister George Whitefield toured America. A star celebrity in his day, Whitefield was already famous in England for his charismatic preaching style that stressed personal conversion. Instead of reading long sermons as other ministers did, Whitefield spoke in a more impromptu way and made emotional appeals to congregations. His oratory made him popular, but also controversial. George Whitefield preaching, in an 1857 engraving. Public Domain In his famous 'Autobiography,' Benjamin Franklin described the excitement this preacher stirred up when he came to America: 'In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. Whitefield, who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher.' By 'itinerant preacher,' Franklin meant that Whitefield traveled from church to church. Some of the local ministers in America were offended by his bluntness, seeing him as a threat to their established orthodoxy. They 'soon refused him their pulpits, and he was obliged to preach in the fields.' Franklin was among the huge 'multitudes of all sects' that gathered to hear the man. Attending out of curiosity and silently resolving 'that he should get nothing from me,' the rational inventor ended up emptying his pockets into the collection plate. Franklin was one of thousands who had been won over. He Related Stories 5/10/2023 1/11/2023 Franklin was right. The world was 'growing religious.' But why? Reacting Against Materialism Whitefield was exceptional, but he was not the only preacher stirring things up. In the 1730s, change was in the air. The period preceding what is now known as the 'Great Awakening' was a time much like our own. In the early 18th century, American civilization was undergoing a crisis. Tired of the religious wars that had dominated the previous century, the educated classes turned to science and reason as a guide. The Enlightenment began to take hold as thinkers like Francis Bacon and Isaac Newton inferred the laws of nature from experiments and mathematics. Ordinary people, however, were not satisfied with these materialistic explanations. In their unrest, they turned to charismatic preachers like Whitefield to feed their spiritual hunger. Early Social Media To realize their goals, these preachers used the printing press. While its existence was not new, its use became more widespread during this time. Whitefield himself cultivated a 'preach and print' strategy to attract his massive crowds, exploiting the commercial possibilities of newsprint to build his revival. It sounds impressive to learn that every newspaper in America was reporting on Whitefield's preaching. Actually, though, there were only 12 colonial newspapers in print in 1739. Boston had five, New York two, and Pennsylvania three. Just two, the Virginia Gazette and South Carolina Gazette, were located in the South. The head of one of these papers was, in fact, Benjamin Franklin. It was he who helped publicize Whitefield's evangelism in his Pennsylvania Gazette, even supporting construction of two separate building projects, a preaching venue and an orphan house. It worked. In 'Inventing the 'Great Awakening,'' historian Frank Lambert writes that 'even armies arrayed for the biggest battles did not match the revivalist crowds in number.' Mass Conversions Jonathan Edwards (L) published "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God" in 1737. Public Domain Jonathan Edwards was another popular preacher of the time. The opposite of Whitefield, Edwards had a quiet voice more suited to intimate settings than large crowds. Thanks to the power of printing, though, he was able to reach a wide audience. It was Edwards who helped launch the Great Awakening through a 1737 publication. In 'A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God,' he described how hundreds of people in his small town of Northampton found spiritual salvation by turning away from the material realm. Their hearts became wholly absorbed in 'the great things of religion and the eternal world,' he wrote. 'All the conversation, in all companies and upon all occasions, was upon these things only.' Worldly affairs, by contrast, were treated as 'a thing of very little consequence.' Following this, other preachers began publishing similar accounts of awakenings in their communities. Strange things began to happen. Jonathan Parsons, in an account of the revival at Lyme in Connecticut, Rev. Jonathan Parsons. Public Domain Though the Great Awakening subsided after the 1740s, it led to the rise of new denominations, including those of the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. Following criticisms from Whitefield and others that institutions of higher learning had become corrupt, four new universities were eventually founded: Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth. The echo of the Great Awakening can be heard down to our own day. It reminds us that the true measure of a life well-lived lies not in possessions, but in purpose. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
What Alasdair MacIntyre got right
Alasdair MacIntyre, who died last week, was one of the most influential thinkers of the past 50 years. It is hard to think of any other philosopher writing in the late 20th-century who has had such an impact. He might be less famous than Foucault or Derrida, but it is his conservative brand of postmodernism that launched a fairly coherent intellectual movement. For a few decades its adherents were mostly academics; now it has become politically influential too. Like those aforementioned Frenchmen, he was a powerful critic of the rational Enlightenment. And like them, his thought was strongly shaped by Marxism, and its critique of liberal political assumptions. But unlike them he decided that it was not enough to be suspicious of all ideologies. The task was to reconstruct meaning, amid the chaos and nihilism of modern thought. This bold proposal is set out in his book of 1981, After Virtue.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
My suburb is the beating cauliflower heart of Melbourne's gluten-free belt
Our south-and western border is the Merri Creek, and although Clifton Hill and Fitzroy North can claim to have prettier aspects, we get to enjoy it amidst the roar of trucks on Heidelberg Road. If the creek ever floods, it's the hardy folk of Westgarth who live on the flood plain. Is Westgarth part of Northcote? In the old Melway, Westgarth looked to be its own suburb. But over at Australia Post, they won't give Westgarth a postcode, smudging it into 3070. So as much as some renegade Westgarthians might want to secede, hogging the Bill Lawry Oval and the Merri footbridge for themselves, we keep Westgarth in the fold. Like Australia needs Western Australia for its iron ore, we need Westgarth for its cinema, which is a grand, art nouveau beauty at the base of Ruckers Hill. We also need it for its famous wholefoods store, Terra Madre, which is where I go to shop if I want to feel like a marble being tilted around a maze where the walls are made entirely of red lentils. There is a way out, I promise, and you can reward yourself at checkout with an impulse buy of Northcote's finest carob. We are famous for our cafe culture, think Vienna around the turn of the century, or Paris during the Enlightenment, except the talk around here is all about the design of the next tattoo sleeve, or Pokey Le Farge's tour dates. Pokey is a randomly selected, excellent but little-known touring artist who blew my mind with a show at the Northcote Social Club six years ago. That sort of thing happens in the live music hub that is 3070. It's even better now that the Northcote Theatre has been renovated. Every weekend, a queue snakes around the corner into Bastings Street, the ages and dress of the gig goers varying with the shades and genres of who's playing. For some decades, Northcote was thought of as a hotbed of creativity, a place for artists, musicians and writers. I do love that our local primary school, Westgarth Primary, has an 'Idol night' that is a no-kids-allowed karaoke fundraiser extravaganza at which parents sing along with a 10-piece band. In the first years I was involved, Ben Ely from Regurgitator was on bass. I dressed up as Piggy Pop (fat Iggy Pop) with drawn-on abs and sang Lust for Life. It was ridiculous, Ben and I collaborating on a musical performance. I wondered if it would happen in other suburbs of Melbourne. It felt very Northcote. Loading Is Northcote still a place for artists? Rising property prices have changed things considerably, although I'm pleased to report that I'm writing this article on an Olivetti typewriter at a High Street whiskey bar that also stocks the complete works of James Joyce. The clack of the keys is putting everybody off their $22 a pop whiskey mules. But there is still a community feel to the suburb, a sense that we can all come together in the car park of the new aquatic centre and circle unsuccessfully for a park together. Our street has a WhatsApp group, where we find out who has an overabundance of quinces or which neighbour had what car stolen overnight. We even have an Oxford Street Tree Art exhibition, organised by Matt at number 19, who gets us all to dress up our street trees. My best effort was to put a shopping trolley around a trunk, so it looked like the tree was growing through the middle of it. Thank you Martin, at number six, for your angle grinder. My favourite community activity is visiting Dog Park, which I can't talk too much about because our dog park is not actually a dog park, and I don't want to alert the rangers. We also have a dog called Ranger at Dog Park, so if a ranger actually comes, and someone yells 'Ranger!' — look it's all going to be very confusing. What we need at this point is some giant wooden dog, preferably with eyes that flash red when someone is coming.
