Berlin’s Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of the Cultures of the World) is one of the city’s modern architectural landmarks. The building is located in the central district of Tiergarten and within walking distance of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the Chancellery. Since it is located beside the River Spree, it has its own pier so that visitors can also arrive by boat. The most striking feature of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt is its signature curved roof.
Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of the Cultures of the World) in Berlin-Tiergarten. Photo © J Elke Ertle, 2017. www.walled-in-berlin.com
From Congress Hall to Haus der Kulturen der Welt
The landmark building was erected for the 1957 International Architecture Exhibition in Berlin (Internationale Bauausstellung) and initially named Kongresshalle (Congress Hall). This gift from the United States to Germany was designed by U.S. architect Hugh Stubbins, Jr. as a symbol of friendship between the United States and Germany and as a forum for free expression. Stubbins likened the curved roof to symbolic wings and the promise that there would be “no restrictions on the freedom of intellectual work”. Because of its gravity-defying curved roof, Berliners soon dubbed the building “pregnant oyster.”
In 1980, part of the Congress Hall’s signature roof collapsed, killing one and injuring numerous others. The building reopened in 1987, reconstructed with additional supports and just in time for the 750-year anniversary of the founding of the city of Berlin. Two years later, the Kongresshalle was renamed Haus der Kulturen der Welt and proffered a significantly different venue.
Haus der Kulturen der Welt furthers international contemporary art
Since its reopening, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt has showcased culture from all over the world, with special focus on non-European cultures and societies. It brings together visual arts, music, author readings, theater, dance, film and digital media and creates themed exhibitions, events and international conferences. In cooperation with musicians, media professionals and artists, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt offers workshops in radio, documentary film, photography, music and drawing throughout the year. The Transmediale, a media art festival, takes place annually and the Berlin Documentary Forum takes place every two years.
Butterfly Sculpture in front of Haus der Kulturen der Welt
A massive polished bronze sculpture stands in the middle of a large reflecting pool in front of building. British artist Henry Moore created the 8-ton art piece and entitled it, “Large Divided Oval: Butterfly”. The sculpture was installed in 1987 when the hall reopened.
Carillon beside the Haus der Kulturen der Welt
When the original Congress Hall was restored for Berlin’s 750-year anniversary, a 138-foot bell tower was constructed beside it. The granite carillon was a gift from the Daimler-Benz company. With 68 bells, it is the fourth-largest carillon in the world. Every Sunday at 3 p.m. during the summer and on many public holidays, Berlin carillonneur, Jeffrey Bossin, plays live concerts with his fists and feet on a baton-and-pedal keyboard. Concerts are free to the public.
For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic and current events, people, places and food.
Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
