Übersee-Museum Bremen Plans Special Exhibition about “Magic”
Der Bereich „Naturmagie“ widmet sich den Pflanzen und Steinen, die im Mittelalter für die Behandlung von Krankheiten genutzt wurden.
© Musée des Confluences, Foto: Olivier Garcin
(eap) On October 18, the Übersee-Museum Bremen will open the special exhibition “Magic”, taking visitors on a cross-cultural journey of discovery. Covering around 800 square meters, the exhibition presents over 400 exhibits that highlight different facets of magic from the past and present.
Ein Zauberwald: Am Ende des Rundgangs lässt eine Besucherin ihren Wunsch am Wunschbaum zurück. © Musée des Confluences, Foto: Olivier Garcin
The selection ranges from scientific and archaeological objects to ethnographic pieces, spanning a wide scope – from shamanic healing practices to Western stage magic and contemporary currents. “Magic is the ability to change the ordinary course of things through the use of occult forces or to influence our perception through the effect of illusions. Throughout its long history, magic has oscillated between belief and knowledge, between good and evil intentions, between secrecy and spectacle,” the museum explains, referring to examples such as the natural magic of wolves or black elder as well as the stage magic of Robert-Houdin.
The special exhibition is divided into four sections that allow visitors to immerse themselves in different forms of magic. It was taken over from the Musée des Confluences in Lyon and the Muséum de Toulouse – in Bremen it will be on display through April 7, 2026. ■
