Jewish Museum in Berlin opens kids' museum about Noah's Ark

[left-of-center2012]

Torrential rain pours down, waves break and big puddles splash as visitors enter the new children’s museum at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. No surprise there, because the exhibit is dedicated to the ancient story of Noah’s Ark and begins in the middle of the biblical deluge.

Young children are invited to actively participate in Noah’s journey as soon as they set foot in the new ANOHA Children’s World, which opens Sunday. They can build little arks that they can float on a “deluge simulator” or help rescue 150 animals, created by over a dozen artists out of recycled material such as old spoons, espresso coffeemakers, pieces of carpet or bike fenders. They can even use the animals’ pretend excrement — represented by brown felt balls — to fertilize plants.

The circular, wooden Ark is the centerpiece of the museum and spans 7 meters (23 feet) tall and 28 meters (91 feet) wide. At its heart is an empty space where visitors are invited to sit down, linger and think about life’s big universal questions: about God and the world, the past and the future. At the end of the tour, there are glimpses of the earth again, rocks lurking out of the retreating floods and a big rainbow on which kids can write their thoughts, wishes or worries.

While the main Jewish Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions primarily cater to adults and teenagers,
the children’s museum targets the youngest visitors, children between 3 and 10.

https://apnews.com/article/europe-berlin-lifestyle-travel-museums-34cb49bb17645d55c835fc3b62b2ccf9

[TheBlackAdder]

1. My favorite section of Noah's Ark is the Lido Deck, where the Dinosaurs live and play.