Berlin-focused Petition Pushes for Disclosure of Conservative Financial Backers of Humboldt Forum
In the heart of Berlin, the Humboldt Forum, originally designed to house the contents of the city's Ethnological Museum, has become a subject of controversy. A recent petition titled "Repossess the Palace" has been launched, urging the Bundestag to end the one-sided glorification of Prussia by physically re-illustrating the building's facade.
The petition calls for an artistic realization competition to break the Prussian-glorifying appearance of the building, and demands an independent review of all donors of the facades of the Berlin Palace with regard to right-wing extremist and anti-Semitic statements. However, it's important to note that there is no evidence, as of the current information, that identifies right-wing donors to the Humboldt Forum or elaborates on their extreme right-wing or antisemitic views.
The Humboldt Forum, located within the rebuilt Berlin Palace, houses a vast collection of artefacts from all corners of the globe. Some of these plundered artefacts were taken from graveyards or were human bodies stolen or murdered during Germany's colonial empire. This aspect of the Humboldt Forum's contents has also been a source of controversy.
The petition proposes a transfer of donations from right-wing extremist, anti-Semitic, and anonymous donors to an anti-racist initiative. It also includes a demand for the termination of cooperation with the Berlin Palace Friends Association. The petition is focused on Berlin's transparency regarding the Humboldt Forum's financial backers.
The symbolism of the Humboldt Forum is perceived as deliberately conservative and backward-looking. The petition does not specify where the funds for the artistic realization competition would come from, nor does it mention any plans for the disposal of the plundered artefacts housed in the Humboldt Forum. It does, however, suggest temporary visualization of the components financed with the donations mentioned above.
The controversy surrounding the Humboldt Forum is a complex issue, encompassing questions of history, culture, ethics, and politics. As the petition gains traction, it remains to be seen how Berlin will respond to these calls for reform and transparency. Interested parties can sign the petition here.
The petition, amidst the controversy surrounding the Humboldt Forum, advocates for an art competition to revise the building's facade, which they perceive as glorifying Prussia, and calls for an investigation into donors with potential right-wing extremist and anti-Semitic ties. This debate encompasses not only the Humboldt Forum's symbolism and history but also extends to general news topics such as politics and crime and justice, given the concerns about donor accountability.
