Bring your own stories, perspectives and questions into the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities and explore a collection that has united objects from around the world for over 300 years. In the transcultural museum lab »Global Perspective« we exchange ideas in small groups and bring hidden voices to light. Join us and actively help shape an open space for new perspectives and inspiring conversations!
Global Perspective
Our Idea
For over 300 years, the Francke Foundations’ Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities has been showcasing objects from many parts of the world. As the educational collection of the Halle Pietists, it reflects the viewpoint of an era in which science, personal experience of the world and religion were closely intertwined. Every object in the collection holds stories within it, including those of the people who created, used, passed on or collected it. For a long time, many of these voices went unheard or have remained invisible to this day. In the transcultural museum laboratory »global perspective«, people from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds are invited to share their perspectives on the collection in specially designed workshops. In small groups, we discuss questions, stories and our diverse perspectives. We are particularly interested in: What do you see? What do you think? What stories do you bring with you? Your experiences and ideas are important. Together, we create an open space for exchange, new ideas and engaging conversations.
Groups
The project is aimed at a variety of groups and can be flexibly adapted to their needs and interests. Whether it’s a language class, a study group or a group of adults, the duration, the choice of objects, the discussion prompts and the methods can all be tailored to the specific group. Each workshop combines cultural exchange through personal stories with the creative exploration of the objects.
For language classes, the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities also offers a accessible opportunity to use the language quite naturally and in context. Describing and discussing the objects together helps to build vocabulary and practise speaking. The workshops focus on meeting others and exchanging views on different experiences.
Are you a language class, a medium-sized team or a diverse group of five or more people? Then come along, discover the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities with us and share your perspectives!
Highlights
A personal view of the sky
with the Tamil Heritage Foundation in July 2026
The workshop centred on an 18th-century palm-leaf manuscript depicting the Tamil »zodiac signs« and »celestial images«. It served as the starting point for a group discussion about traditional conceptions of the heavens and how differently we might perceive and interpret them.
We then set out in the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities to search for objects that reminded us of the sky. Which objects speak to us of stars, vastness or the universe? And what personal stories do we associate with them?
Through the creative process of designing their very own personal sky, participants were able to capture their thoughts and impressions and explore the topics previously discussed from multiple perspectives in their own way.
We look back on a day full of encounters, fascinating conversations and diverse perspectives and on the very personal images of the sky that emerged during the session.
Discovering democracy in the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities through personal stories and shared perspectives
with a group from the Alpha School in Halle in July 2026
Together with an introductory course, we explored the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities from different perspectives on the theme of democracy. The aim was not simply to view democracy as an abstract concept, but to link it to personal experiences, memories and values.
In the beginning, we asked ourselves: What matters to us personally? Clothes, school, family, nature. The answers were as varied as the people in the group. Even at this initial stage, it became clear just how different our interests, experiences and personalities are.
Afterwards, we examined the objects in the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities: Which object reminds you of your own childhood? What story do you associate with it? These personal memories sparked conversations about experiences who have shaped us. It became clear which values the participants had already experienced in their childhood and carried with them on their journey, and just how different these experiences can be.
We ended by designing our own sky. We all live under a shared sky and share this living space but each of us experiences our own story under it.
In this way, democracy in the Wunderkammer became not just a topic of conversation, but a shared journey of discovery: exploring what unites us, our differences, and the diverse experiences that shape our perspectives on the world.
Discover new perspectives and share stories at the Language Learners Group in June 2026
With the »Language Get-together« in June 2026
In June 2026, we explored the Cabinet of Artefacts and Natural Curiosities together with the Language Learners Group. In three workshops, we used the collection as a starting point for discussions about personal experiences, different perspectives and the stories behind them.
To kick things off, the participants explored their own perspectives on the objects during a group tour of the Wunderkammer: Which materials appeal to me? What would I base my choice of an object on? And what experiences and stories shape my perspective?
The second workshop dealt with the theme of »Arrival«. Personal experiences were linked to historical narratives and different perspectives on migration. A historical map provided an introduction to the story of Halle’s emigrants to Pennsylvania in the 18th century. Creative methods and group discussions demonstrated how varied experiences and notions of ‘arrival’ can be.
To complete the programme, the ‘Change of Perspective’ workshop invited participants to take on the role of museum director themselves. As experts on their own lives, the participants developed ideas: what would they display in their own museum? Which objects, stories and perspectives would be important to them?
The three workshops transformed the Wunderkammer into a space for exchange, where personal stories became visible and different perspectives entered into dialogue with one another.
Contact
If you have any questions or comments about the programme:
