Berlin

Angel, Swastika, Dome of the Rock

Nov 30 - Mar 3 2019       Unter den Linden 2, Mitte
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It has been somewhat forgotten beneath the tidal wave of commercialism that is the modern Christmas experience, but the practice of decorating a tree over the festive season actually originated in the German-speaking lands of northern Europe. Renaissance-era Germany saw trees covered in apples, nuts, pretzels and more, ostensibly to provide extra joy for kids but also to provide a little cheer for everybody and to stick it to the Catholics at the same time (the trees were also a counterpart to Catholic cribs). 

Centuries have passed since those humble 16th century beginnings, and the decorating of a tree at Christmas is a truly global phenomenon. Berlin’s Deutsches Historisches Museum has a special festive exhibition covering that very subject, looking at the history and evolution of the beloved Christmas tree. This isn’t just a whimsical light show however, as decorations continue to prove contentious; the Nazi regime’s appropriation of the illuminated tree is still a keen point of discussion across the land today.

But design comes first and foremost here, and this truly is an aesthetically majestic journey through a genuinely international celebration. Expect to see a huge variety of decorations throughout the exhibition, but that warm festive feeling in your stomach will remain pleasantly familiar.

(pic in App: Plakat des Winterhilfswerkes (WHW) zur 3. Reichsstraßensammlung 1939 © Deutsches Historisches Museum)

Date

Venue

Nov 30 2018 - Mar 3 2019
Deutsches Historisches Museum
Unter den Linden 2, Mitte

Price/Additional Info

€8, free up to 18 years old

Website

www.dhm.de/en/ausstellungen/preview/engel-hakenkreuz-felsendom.html
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