Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften 2026 im Forschungscampus Dahlem

In the organizer's words:

For the second time, the Dahlem Research Campus is taking part in the Long Night of the Sciences and opening its doors for a varied evening program. Visitors can expect a broad spectrum of research, museum practice, art, music and hands-on formats.

The focus is on insights behind the scenes of scientific and museum work: from current research projects to the examination of collection items from colonial contexts and collaborative approaches to museum work. The program is complemented by guided tours, workshops, information stations, films and live formats that allow visitors to experience science from different perspectives.

Tickets are available in the Long Night of Science online store.

The entire program of the Long Night of Science can be found here.

PROGRAM AT THE DAHLEM RESEARCH CAMPUS

Information stations and insights

17:00 to 22:00

Plaster molding shop
Insights into the work of the plaster mold workshop as a "storehouse" of cultural heritage. It will be shown how historical plaster casts preserve originals and what significance they have for research, restoration and dealing with losses.

Collection items from colonial contexts (IFM)
The Institute for Museum Research presents the German portal for collection items from colonial contexts. Short inputs explain how it was created and the partner institutions involved. Visitors will be given a live insight into search functions and data sets. The focus is on transparency, responsibility and participation in dealing with colonial collections.

Project station "The Collaborative Museum" (CoMuse)
The project station invites you to get to know international CoMuse projects. It presents collaborative working methods between cultural professionals and museum staff that open up new perspectives on collections and show how museums can be rethought together.

Guided tours

17:45 | 18:45 | 19:45 | Duration: 20 min.
Pop-up tours: "Narrative material - new perspectives on literature"
Short dialogic tours through the exhibition. Selected objects take center stage and show how things tell stories and open up new perspectives on literature beyond the book. Visitors are actively involved in the interpretation.

17:15 | 18:45 | Duration: 60 min.
Science meets mural painting
At the Schaudepot Asiatischer Kunst, conservators provide an insight into scientific examinations of ancient wall paintings. How do microscopy, spectroscopy, etc. help us to understand and preserve centuries-old works of art? Discover fascinating details and find out how research prepares for restoration.
Please note: Limited number of participants. Please register here.

17:30 | 19:00 | Duration: 60 min.
A look behind the scenes: Moving to the Humboldt Forum and the restoration route in Dahlem
During the guided tour of the Restoration Route, visitors can take an exclusive look inside one of the restorers' workshops. How were the conservators involved in the move from Dahlem to the Humboldt Forum and how were thousands of objects prepared for the move and the exhibition? Exciting insights and expert explanations await you.
Please note: Limited number of participants. Please register here.

Workshops

18:45 hrs | Duration: 60 min.
Mats from the Swahili coast
Mats from the Lamu archipelago (north coast of Kenya) are the focus of this workshop. Reproductions and archive material will be used to examine how patterns, meanings and colonial contexts can be revealed. Together, stories, relationships and phases of life will be made visible in the objects.
Please note: Limited number of participants. Please register here.

17:00 hrs | Duration: 180 min.
Graphic Novel
In the workshop with Reem Helou, participants develop their own visual stories from personal experiences, memories or themes. Using simple drawing techniques, they will create short graphic novels that translate thoughts, moods and experiences into visual form.
Please note: Limited number of participants. Please register here.

From 17:00
LEGO® Makerspace - Museum of the Future
Creative building and programming with LEGO® Education. From robotics to their own visions of a museum of the future, visitors can experiment and create.
Entry possible at any time.

Films, talks and live formats

17:00 hrs | Duration: 60 min.
Films: Museums rethought (CoMuse)
Film program about the Fellowship "The Collaborative Museum" of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art. International projects show new, multi-perspective approaches to collections as well as questions of collaboration, transparency and decolonization.

19:00 hrs | Duration: 60 min.
Talk: Pop music and research
Insight into pop music and pop culture in museum collections with Prof. Veit Erlmann. The focus is on research recordings from southern Africa and their digital processing.

20:00h | Duration: 120 min.
Live podcast
"The Lightness of Science" with Claudia Linzel, Patricia Rahemipour and Asta Gröting. A conversation about the interfaces between science, art and institutions - live in front of an audience.

Evening program

From 22:00

Documentation: Archive of the Future

Reading and play: "People in the Museum" with actress Julia Malik

Price information:

Tickets available from €7.50 discount