Exhibitions
Special Events
Preview
Highlight in april: Voting
In our anniversary exhibition you get to decide what is to be displayed. This means you have 125 wishes free. From a shortlist compiled by specialist groups in the storage spaces, the people of Basel get to vote online which objects they would like to see in the exhibition.
To vote go to www.bzbasel.ch/Wünschdirwas
> To the Exhibition «Take your Pick»
> To the Highlights in 2018
> Calendar
Guided tour
Welcome to our house of things and stories! On the occasion of our 125th anniversary we invite you to explore our house and its history: you get to hear stories of adventurous expeditions and painstaking collection, see surprising and artful objects from all corners of the world and learn what modern anthropology is all about.
> With Antonio Russo
In german
Admission fee > CalendarGuided tour
Every single person, every community has them: secrets. They are in our heads, but also captured in documents and objects: what do the secret scripts of Batak ritual specialists actually contain? What’s the significance of the female figure on the Iatmul’s men’s house?
> With Christophe Schneider
Admission fee > CalendarVisit to exhibition, talk, fusion-snack and dance
The Dance Festival is paying “Grasping Anthropology” a visit. In Symbiosis Sumitra Keshava and Kilian Haselbeck meet: she, a dancer trained in the classical temple dance Bharatanatyam, he, a contemporary dancer. Together they fathom the unknown and venture across boundaries. Before the performance we take a look at various object symbioses in the company of the two dancers and with the curator Stephanie Lovász. The exhibition StrawGold features many cultural crossovers. In cooperation with Tanzfest Basel.
Admission fee, free for holders of Dance Festival pass.
Go tho "Grasping anthropology"
> CalendarGuided tour
Every single person, every community has them: secrets. They are in our heads, but also captured in documents and objects: what do the secret scripts of Batak ritual specialists actually contain? What’s the significance of the female figure on the Iatmul’s men’s house?
> With Sabine Rotach
In german
Admission fee > CalendarDance Performance
What is visible, what remains invisible? Two dancers, a man and a woman, entice the audience to follow their movements through the exhibition and reveal secrets from a new angle. In cooperation with Basel Dance Festival.
> With Nicole Morel and Samuel Déniz Falcón, Antipode Danse Tanz.
Free entry > CalendarOffenes Atelier für Kinder
Japanese dyers and designers show us how it is done, that is, how to fold paper or cloth and dye it blue to create surprising patterns. In the exhibition StrawGold you will find many examples. In the workshop we create and design our own art cards following this technique.
> With Regina Mathez
for kids of 6 and older
Material CHF 5.-
> CalendarGuided tour
Kids and adults set off on separate guided tours of the exhibition. While the adults spend longer in the exhibition, the children visit a workshop where they create things that reflect themes of the exhibition. This time the exhibition is Secrecy.
Guided tour 11.00 - 12.00
Guided tour for kids of 6 and older 10.45 – 12.00
Material CHF 5
In german language
> With Eli Wilhelm and Regina Mathez
Admission fee > CalendarGuided tour
How come is a Bavarian dirndl made of African cloths? Moreover, in what way are these cloths still African? Objects, ideas and technologies have been travelling between cultures since time immemorial. Learn more about these fascinating entanglements.
With Reingard Dirscherl
> in german
Workshop
Hiroyuki Murase, son of an old artisan family in the fifth generation, will impart the basics and various techniques of Japanese textile design technique shibori, relying on pieces from the museum’s collections for inspiration. The two-day workshop is suitable for beginners as well as advanced learners. With Hiroyuki Murase, creative director of the company Suzusan, Stephanie Lovász and Regina Mathez.
Fifteen participants at most. Please register latest by Fri 18.5. at info@mkb.notexisting@nodomain.comch or under 061 266 56 32. Please bring with you a light-coloured T-shirt or cloth, a pair of scissors, an apron and a picnic lunch for the midday break.
With Hiroyuki Murase, creative director of the company Suzuan, Stephanie Lovász and Regina Mathez.
> in german
CHF 210.-
Highlight in may: Picnic Concert
The Basel Symphony Orchestra (SOB) surprises us with a special birthday programme. The world-renowned violinist Gilles Apap, together with members of the orchestra, interprets Mozart’s violin concerto No. 5 in his own special way – interspersed with jazz and folk elements. Expect a true fireworks of sounds when he meets the orchestra’s Vincent Brunel and his folk band Eyrinn!
We wish to thank the Foundation for the Promotion of MBK for their generous financial support.
> The concerts Picnic
Highlight in may: Picnic Concert
The Basel Symphony Orchestra (SOB) surprises us with a special birthday programme. The world-renowned violinist Gilles Apap, together with members of the orchestra, interprets Mozart’s violin concerto No. 5 in his own special way – interspersed with jazz and folk elements. Expect a true fireworks of sounds when he meets the orchestra’s Vincent Brunel and his folk band Eyrinn!
We wish to thank the Foundation for the Promotion of MBK for their generous financial support.
> The concerts Picnic
Guided city tour
Get to know Basel from the perspective of migrants and refugees. Which spots and routes in town are important to them? What are their opportunities, where are the limits of their lifeworlds? In a 90-minute tour of the city migrants show us their Basel and tell of their arrival, search and hopes.
With Rstam Aloush
> in german
CHF 16.--/11.--
Info and booking at least 2 days in advance, info@mkb.notexisting@nodomain.comch or 061 266 56 00
Highlight in june: Family day
The family day is all about secrets: follow a mysterious trail and crack the code. Marvel at the magic tricks presented by Duo Domenico. Listen to stories of awe and wonder. Learn the art of secret writing or create a doll to which you can entrust your worries.
We wish to thank the Foundation for the Promotion of MBK for their generous financial support.
Grasping anthropology - Talk
Basel missionaries and missionary sisters brought back from their journeys to Cameroon and China many items and artefacts. Just about as numerous as the objects were the motives and reasons for collecting them. How did rituals objects and pieces of jewellery pass into the hands of members of the mission? What stories have paraphernalia like Chinese parasols to tell and why does the collection include opium pipes?
In german language.
> With Dagmar Konrad and Isabella Bozsa, Fellowship Museum der Kulturen Basel.
> CalendarPicnic Concert
Johan de Meij brings the hobbits to the Museum der Kulturen. The Dutch trombonist, composer and director wrote his first symphony The Lord of the Rings based on motifs from the famous phantasy trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. Together with the brass ensemble of SOB he not only takes the audience deep down into the mines of Moria but also delights listeners with his arrangement of Maurice Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte.
Free entry > CalendarGuided tour
Every single person, every community has them: secrets. They are in our heads, but also captured in documents and objects: what do the secret scripts of Batak ritual specialists actually contain? What’s the significance of the female figure on the Iatmul’s men’s house?
> With Eli Wilhelm
In german
Admission fee > CalendarHighlight in june: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Guided tour
Pretty clothes are fun and contribute to our individuality. But how are the designs created? What narratives from the worlds of science, business, politics and power, exoticism, belonging and exclusion are hidden in the yarn? How do clothes and jewellery impact on our bodies? In StrawGold and other exhibitions we encounter many objects that tell us about the way we dress and invite us to explore the links to other clothing traditions in the world and, thus, question our own fashion criteria.
With Nadja Breger
> in german
Guided city tour
Get to know Basel from the perspective of migrants and refugees. Which spots and routes in town are important to them? What are their opportunities, where are the limits of their lifeworlds? In a 90-minute tour of the city migrants show us their Basel and tell of their arrival, search and hopes.
With Rstam Aloush
> in german
CHF 16.--/11.--
Info and booking at least 2 days in advance, info@mkb.notexisting@nodomain.comch or 061 266 56 00
Highlight in june: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in july: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in july: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in july: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in july: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in august: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in august: Sports
What we have to offer is not only for the eye but also for the body as a whole. In connection with Gsünder Basel’s project “Active through the summer” we offer a varied exercise programme for all ages. The workout lasts 45 minutes and focuses on coordination, strength and stamina, inspired by thrilling sounds from across the world in Basel’s most beautiful courtyard.
20.6. – 8.8. always Wednesday 12.15 – 13.00.
Highlight in august: Children's concert
Andrew Bond’s shows bring a sparkle to the children’s eyes; after that, there’s no stopping them. His melodious and gentle songs have made him one of Switzerland’s most successful singers and performers. Look forward to a very special open-air concert.
Free entry to the concert.
We wish to thank the Foundation for the Promotion of MBK for their generous financial support.
> Calendar
Highlight in september: Opening
Highlight in september: Opening
The anniversary exhibition is an experiment – for you as well as for us. You’ve chosen the objects, we’ve fetched them from the storage spaces, got them for the show, and now present them in a joint display. We can’t wait to hear your feedback!
> To the exhibition «Take your pick»
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in october: Robi game events
During the autumn holidays the museum courtyard is turned into a playground. We invite you and your parents to the holiday play-town in the Museum der Kulturen Basel where you can enjoy games from across the world. Every afternoon we go on an expedition through the museum in search of exciting objects. In the meantime your parents can visit one of our many exhibitions.
Free entry to the kids’ holiday city.
For kids from 4 to 12.
October 03. – 10., daily 13.30 – 17.00.
Highlight in november: Award ceremony
A series of photographs reveals how exhibiting has changed between 1893 and 2018. Students from the University of Basel are invited to continue the series: how do they see the museum’s future? A committee then selects the ten best photographs and presents them to the audience. The prizes are to be awarded Prof. Dr. Andrea Schenker-Wicki, rector of the University of Basel.
Free entry > CalendarHighlight in december: Finale
The eventful year ends with a token of good neighbourliness: we pass on the anniversary baton to the Basel Minster, which in 2019 is celebrating its consecration one thousand years ago. Together with Minster Reverend Caroline Schröder we cross the Minster Square in a festive procession – with a boat from our collections in tow to symbolize the crossing. Temporarily the vessel will lie at anchor in the nave of the Minster.
A rich and varied programme throughout the day in the Museum and the Minster.
Free entry > Calendar