Family Matters

In 2025, the Humboldt Forum will be exploring the theme of “Beziehungsweise Familie” (family or relationships) and we are calling you to be part of this exhibition!

Starting in autumn 2025, the Humboldt Forum will be delving into a topic that is sure to resonate with everyone: Family and kinship. It can mean security and belonging, or perhaps conflict and stress – and usually all of these things at once. The Humboldt Forum cordially invites you to share your personal family experiences.

What are we looking for?

The Humboldt Forum is looking for the key moments you remember: A photo with a story that captures a special situation. The event may have sparked a change or been the turning point that changed your role within your family. It could be a brief moment that left a lasting impression, a thrilling or even traumatic experience, a typical ritual or an unexpected event. In any case, it would be that defining moment that changed your relationship with other family members and relatives. You may have captured this deeply personal moment of transition or have a memento of it on camera, and you can share the story behind it with us.

How can you contribute?

This wealth of personal experiences will be the subject of an exhibition at the Humboldt Forum. Your stories deserve the spotlight. Send us your photo accompanied by a brief story. The story should describe the significance of the moment. Tell us about the people or objects in the picture, why this captured moment, place or object is special to you and what it means to you and your family. It’s not about the perfect photo. It can be a snapshot that evokes stories and emotions and that you would like to share with others in the exhibition.

Here are some examples: your first bike without training wheels and a story describing the feeling of being faster than your uncle who was running alongside you; the door to your first flat or shared room and a description of the moment when you realised you were now independent; the first cigarette you smoked in secret and a story about how it tasted; the street corner where you lost your first tooth; the family photo on the steps of the church on the occasion of your confirmation and a story about what happened afterwards, etc.

How can you participate?

The personal photo should be provided in digital form or as a colour copy. You are welcome to write the story in any language you prefer – it could be either handwritten or typed as a Word file. You can submit your preferred form of draft in any of two ways:

1. By email:

Send your contributions to the following email address: [email protected]

Please write ‘Participation in special exhibition Beziehungsweise Familie’ in the subject line and include your contact details in the text.

2. In person:

Drop your contribution in the designated letterbox at the Humboldt Forum. The letterbox is located in the main foyer near the information desk and is clearly marked. Please include your contact details so that we can contact you if we have any questions.

Additional information on participation

By submitting your photo and its corresponding story, you agree that it may be publicly displayed as part of the ‘Beziehungsweise Familie’ theme for the year. If other persons are depicted in the photos, please ensure at the same time that the consent of these persons has also been obtained.

The closing date for entries is 31.7.2025

We look forward to receiving your entries and are excited to discover the many different facets of family and kinship that they will reveal. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Send us an email at: [email protected]

The protection of your data is important to us. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to inform you that we store and process your personal data in the course of our service communication. Information on data protection and your rights can be found on our website. If you have any questions about the processing of your personal data, please contact our data protection officer at [email protected].