The Hessian State Museum in Darmstadt draws a positive interim conclusion – guided tours, readings and workshops will complement the special exhibition in November
The special exhibition "Dragons – Myth and Reality" at the Hessian State Museum in Darmstadt is attracting great interest. In the first 15 days after its opening, more than 10,000 people visited the museum to learn about the history and cultural significance of dragons.
The exhibition, which runs until January 17, 2027, combines art history and natural science. In November, it will be accompanied by an extensive program of events including guided tours, readings, and a manga drawing workshop.
Dragons fascinate visitors of all ages
“We are delighted with the great response to our exhibition. The fact that more than 10,000 people have already visited us after just 15 days shows how much dragons still fascinate people today,” explains Julia Hillebrand, deputy director of the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt.
Particularly pleasing is the interest shown by families who explore the exhibition together and discover different approaches to the stories and myths surrounding dragons.
The exhibition explores mythical creatures from European and East Asian perspectives. On display are works of art from antiquity to the present day, as well as scientific exhibits, including rare documents from the history of science, fossils millions of years old, and taxidermied animals.
The exhibition thus shows how differently dragons have been depicted in various cultures and what role they play in mythology, art and natural history.
Tandem tours combine science and imagination
In November, two tandem tours are on the program, in which two experts will each offer different perspectives on the exhibition.
On Wednesday, November 4th, at 6 pm, Dr. Jörn Köhler, head of the Recent Vertebrates Collection, and Dr. Thomas Foerster, curator of the exhibition and head of the Medieval Art and Archaeology Collection, will jointly lead a tour of the show.
Another tandem tour will take place on Saturday, November 21st, at 4 pm. Thomas Foerster will accompany Florian Schäfer, the founder of the "Forgotten Creatures" project. Together they will explore the dragons from art historical and narrative perspectives.
Story time for children aged four and up
There is also a special program for younger visitors. On Thursday, November 5th, at 4 pm, a story time will take place directly in the exhibition.
Children aged four and up are invited to immerse themselves in the story world of dragons.
Reading with Florian Schäfer
On Saturday, November 21st, at 7 pm, Florian Schäfer will present his new fantasy novel. The illustrations are by Elif Siebenpfeiffer.
The story centers on dragon researcher Johanna Scheuchzer, who sets out to find the last dragons in Europe.
The story is told through diary entries, hand-drawn sketches, historical maps, and images. The novel draws on European legends and traditions.
Manga workshop for teenagers
On Saturday, November 28th, at 2 pm, the artist Emiko Takano will offer a manga drawing workshop for young people aged twelve and over.
Participants learn basic manga drawing techniques and then develop their own dragon characters in the typical manga style.
The workshop thus addresses the theme of the special exhibition and combines the study of dragons with a creative design opportunity.
The exhibition will then travel to Cologne
The special exhibition “Dragons – Myth and Reality” can be seen at the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt until January 17, 2027.
It will then be presented at the Schnütgen Museum in Cologne from March 4 to June 6, 2027. The exhibition is a collaboration with the Museum of East Asian Art.
The most important information
- Exhibition: Dragons – Myth and Reality
- Location: Hessian State Museum Darmstadt
- Exhibition duration: Until January 17, 2027
- Wednesday, November 4th, 6 pm: Tandem tour with Dr. Jörn Köhler and Dr. Thomas Foerster
- Thursday, November 5th, 4 pm: Story time for children aged four and up
- Saturday, November 21, 4 p.m.: Tandem tour with Dr. Thomas Foerster and Florian Schäfer
- Saturday, November 21, 7 p.m.: Reading with Florian Schäfer
- Saturday, November 28, 2 p.m.: Manga drawing workshop with Emiko Takano, for ages 12 and up
- Admission: 12 euros, concessions 8 euros
- Children and young people: Free admission up to and including 18 years of age.
- Further exhibition venue: Schnütgen Museum, Cologne, March 4 to June 6, 2027
(DARMSTADT – RED/HLMD)
