Freedom in focus: Exhibition shows struggles from yesterday and today in Dresden

Freedom in focus: Exhibition shows struggles from yesterday and today in Dresden

The social currents of freedom and the fight for individual rights are the focus of the new exhibition "Freedom. An Unfinished Story", which can be seen in the German Hygiene Museum in Dresden until May 31, 2026. This comprehensive show draws threads from the freedom movements of the 70s and 80s - especially in Poland, Czechoslovakia and the GDR - to our own time. [faz.net] reports that the exhibition addresses the legacy of these movements and at the same time takes a look at current debates about freedom.

The central component of this exhibition is an impressive picture by Norbert Wagenbrett entitled “Aufbruch”. It shows a boy and a girl bracing themselves against a threatening gray slag. This visual commentary is interpreted not only as a symbol of the East-West conflict, but also as a reflection on our current challenges, which the exhibition vividly displays. Another outstanding work is “The Neighbor Who Wants to Fly” by Wolfgang Mattheuer, which impressively visualizes the longing for freedom. These works of art are accompanied by an extensive range of historical photos, films and drawings.

Freedom in focus

The topic of freedom is diverse and is not only examined historically in this exhibition. There is room for questions about restrictions on individual freedoms during the corona pandemic as well as discussions about regulations in the name of climate protection. The debate about the concept of freedom and how it is exploited by various political actors is critically examined. These reflections are particularly relevant when considering current social conflicts and the challenges that arise from the conflict between individual rights and the common good. [dhmd.de] informs that the exhibition was designed in cooperation with the European Solidarity Center in Gdansk, the National Gallery in Prague and the National Museum in Wroclaw.

The exhibition invites visitors to also think about the similarities and differences in ideals of freedom and to have a discussion about how civil rights movements, such as Solidarity in Poland, affect other movements in Europe and beyond. These civil rights movements of the 20th and 21st centuries, which also characterize modern protests, are an expression of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice and have profound social, cultural and economic effects in our societies. [das-wissen.de] highlights how these movements have significantly influenced history and created new social norms.

Multimedia experience

The exhibition is technically complex and modern with multimedia stations, a trilingual visitor survey and a virtual speaker's stand. Contemporary witness reports and voices from artists underline the challenges and hopes of the freedom movements and invite you to reflect on your own perspective. This happens against the background that the concept of freedom is constantly being reinterpreted and interpreted by various social trends. An exciting question is discussed: How much freedom can we afford in a rapidly changing world?

The exhibition catalog, which combines important information and impressive image documents, is available for 20 euros and complements the on-site experience. Under the patronage of Claudia Roth and Dr. Wolfram Weimer, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media, the exhibition offers a significant contribution to the current debate about freedom in our modern societies.

The exhibition "Freedom. An Unfinished Story" not only offers a historical review, but is also a call for reflection and action in today's world.