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DW
2 days ago
- DW
Berlin's Museum Island reflects city's tumultuous history – DW – 05/30/2025
Initiated 200 years ago, Museum Island was in ruins after World War II. Then 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
DW
5 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
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Rain offers some help for crews battling deadly wildfires in eastern Manitoba
Published May 16, 2025 • 2 minute read A wildfire burns in the Wendigo Beach area near Lac du Bonnet, Man. in this handout photo posted on the Manitoba Hydro Facebook page on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Photo by Handout, Manitoba Hydro, Facebook / THE CANADIAN PRESS LAC DU BONNET — Rain offered some help in the battle against forest fires in eastern Manitoba on Friday, but the effort remained far from over. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Steady rain hit areas including the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, where a fire this week destroyed 28 homes and cottages and left two people dead. 'It's been coming down pretty good,' said Loren Schinkel, the municipality's reeve. A section of one evacuated area was reopened Thursday night to permanent residents. But Schinkel said the fire in nearby areas is still burning and there was no word on when people might get back in. 'I was in the area this morning where the fire started … and you still see tons of hot spots.' Word emerged Friday of rescues that involved provincial staff and a private helicopter operator on Tuesday night as the fire raged. Six people were extracted from an area near Lac du Bonnet, as were a family of four from Garner Lake and three stranded boaters from Shoe Lake, the province said. The latter two locations are in Nopiming Provincial Park, northeast of Lac du Bonnet. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'With fire conditions rapidly deteriorating, provincial staff from the Manitoba Wildfire Service and Conservation Officer Service, with the help of a local helicopter pilot, were able to make a series of dramatic rescues in very dangerous conditions,' a government statement said. The fire near Lac du Bonnet claimed the lives of a man and his wife, identified as Richard and Sue Nowell, who were stranded by the flames. The Manitoba Conservation Officers Association said one of the couple's sons, Ryland Nowell, is a patrol captain with the service. 'Nowell had been assisting with the wildfires in Whiteshell Provincial Park in the days prior,' said a post on the association's Facebook page. It also said he helped last year with evacuations and protecting properties during the Cranberry Portage fire in northern Manitoba, 'saving countless cottages and lives.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An online fundraising effort for Ryland Nowell and his brother, as they both lived with their parents, had garnered more than $133,000 by Friday afternoon. Condolences have poured in for the family. 'My favourite memories with Sue are all around music, concerts and friends,' said high school friend Lori Sparacio. 'She touched so many people and was the kindest and the most loving person. She loved her family beyond belief.' Another 20 fires were also burning in the province, and the Manitoba government closed some provincial parks. Premier Wab Kinew visited Lac du Bonnet on Thursday night. He urged people to obey evacuation orders and not to light campfires and fireworks over the long weekend, even in areas where fires are still permitted. The Alberta government said it was sending help to Manitoba, with two wildland firefighting crews and support staff expected in the coming days. Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrity Toronto & GTA Columnists
Canada Standard
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Canada Standard
Big Canada Wildfire Kills Two, 1,000 Evacuated
Canada has endured a series of significant forest fires in recent years, but deaths involving residents are rare. In 2023, the worst wildfire season in the country's history, the only recorded deaths were among firefighters. Canadian federal police confirmed Wednesday that two people died in the small community of Lac-du-Bonnet, in the central province of Manitoba, which is experiencing unusually hot, dry and windy conditions. Chris Hastie of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) told reporters that authorities were aware that these individuals had been trapped in the fire. Due to extreme conditions yesterday afternoon, emergency personnel were not able to reach the location until this morning,Hastie added. There were no reports of additional people unaccounted for, Hastie said. Manitobas Premier Wab Kinew said he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of two Manitobans due to the wildfires. My heart goes out to their loved ones,he added in a post on X. Several evacuation orders have been issued in recent days in Manitoba, including in Lac-du-Bonnet, where 1,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes. This is a truly tragic event. We are a very close-knit community here,Loren Schinkel, the head of the community 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Winnipeg, said after the deaths were confirmed. Speaking to AFP earlier, Schinkel had said strong winds from the south were driving the fire's spread, but that the situation appeared stable on Wednesday morning. There are 24 active fires in Manitoba, five of which are considered out of control, authorities said. One fire burning on the Ontario border has spread across 100,000 hectares. We are looking at obviously very challenging conditions,said Kristin Hayward of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, citing hot, dry weather. We have had some very windy days, and we expect that to continue, she added, speaking before the fatalities were confirmed. There are currently 92 active fires across Canada, including in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Authorities have warned the wildfire season in central and western Canada could be more intense than normal due to drought conditions affecting several areas. Climate change has increased the impact of extreme weather events in Canada.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba wildfires force more evacuations, damage properties northeast of Winnipeg
WINNIPEG – About 1,000 people have been forced to leave a popular area for cottagers as wildfires continue to burn in Manitoba. Loren Schinkel, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, says fire has destroyed some structures in one area and the damage is still being assessed. The Lac du Bonnet region is well-known as cottage country, but Schinkel says many people have moved in permanently since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fire is one of many burning in Manitoba after a hot, dry spring. Out-of-control fires have already prompted evacuation orders in areas of Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Manitoba Hydro says it plans to have its employees leave the Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls generating stations because the fires are threatening to cut off road access to the facilities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
