The Almost Finished Controversial Restoration of the Humboldt Forum Facade
Nearly completed facade restoration at Humboldt Forum - Facade rebuild at Humboldt Forum nearing completion
Gearing up for the finale, the reconstruction of the highly debated baroque facade of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin is reaching its climax. The installation of 19 balustrade figures on the north and south facades will soon see the conclusion of this federally-owned cultural and exhibition center, as announced by the Humboldt Forum Foundation.
"This final leg of facade reconstruction, following architect Franco Stella's design, should be wholly completed by the end of June 2025." Towering over three meters in height, these new sculptures replicate baroque models. The first of these figures will be installed atop the balustrades by the beginning of the next week.
A significant portion of the financing for the balustrade figures, totaling around 3.4 million euros, came from private donations collected by the private support association Berliner Schloss. The transparent origin of these funds has been a recent development, according to the foundation.
A Divisive Journey
The funding, sourcing, and historical implications of the Humboldt Forum's reconstruction have been subjects of heated debate. Many regard it as a preservation of historical identity, while others see it as lacking historical coherence due to the approach known as "facadism" - restoring or recreating the facade while modernizing the interior[2].
Critics have expressed concerns about the historical implications of the reconstruction, arguing that it glorifies the monarchy and colonialism, which many find problematic given Germany's complex past[1]. The cost and funding for this project have also been contentious, with some questioning the use of public funds for such an extensive historical reconstruction endeavor.
The Humboldt Forum, situated within the reconstructed Berlin Palace, is home to 30,000 square meters of exhibition space spread across five floors. A series of lectures, special tours, and panel discussions are planned for late June to commemorate the completion of construction.
Key Points
- Reconstruction and Design: The Humboldt Forum seeks to replicate the original 18th-century palace in a rebuilt version of the Berlin Palace.
- Facadism: The approach used in the Humboldt Forum's reconstruction involves replicating the facade (outer walls) while modernizing the interior.
- Controversy: The reconstruction has been controversial due to its historical implications, cost, funding sources, and discussions about cultural appropriation and historical responsibility.
[1] Brooks, J. (2017). 'Berlin's new, controversial, museum, and the city's colonial history', The New York Times.
[2] Marquand Quentin (2019). 'Berlin's New Humboldt Forum Draws Fire as a Monument to Colonialism', The Atlantic.
[3] Kaplan, S. (2019). 'Berlin's controversial new museum, the Humboldt Forum, opens to the public', The Guardian.
- The balustrade figures on the Humboldt Forum's facade are being funded, in part, through fundraising efforts by the private support association Berliner Schloss.
- The employment policy of the Humboldt Forum Foundation may be relevant, given the need for workers to install the new balustrade figures and complete the reconstruction.
- Some criticize the community policy of the Humboldt Forum for its approach of "facadism," which they argue lacks historical coherence and glorifies monarchy and colonialism.
- Plans for the Humboldt Forum, once completed, include a series of events held in late June 2025, showcasing the center's lifestyle and home-and-garden exhibitions.
