Permanent exhibition of the German Exile Archive 1933-1945 in Frankfurt am Main

What does it mean to have to go into exile? What awaits one there? Does exile ever finish? And what remains of exile?

Between 1933 and 1945 some 500,000 people were forced into exile from the areas governed by the Nazi dictatorship. What they all had in common was the fact that they had been marginalised and persecuted. Yet there were differences in the specific reasons for, and times of their escape – and in their journeys, destinations and experiences in exile. The experience of exile from 1933 to 1945 was diverse and individual. It meant rupture and loss, but also a fresh start and new opportunities.

The German Exile Archive 1933–1945 has been specifically conceived to provide a multiperspective view of exile. The exhibition consists exclusively of exhibits from the German Exile Archive.

The exhibition is divided into three main sections, each focusing on different themes. Exodus – In exile – After exile. These are subdivided into several smaller chapters. The exhibits, which are allocated to the chapters, serve a number of different functions: They point to the plurality of experiences, provide biographical insights and visually portray the individual statements made in the overview texts. Each exhibit tells the story of a specific historical experience. The exhibition therefore provides a broad overview of the phenomenon of the German-speaking exile 1933–1945; at the same time, however, it is also a plea for attention to details and for multi-perspectivity when dealing with history.

New content, new perspectives and new approaches.

Numerous visitors have seen the permanent exhibition "Exile. Experience and Testimony" since it was first opened in 2018, and were touched by the presented items and stories, and inspired to reflect on them. To mark the 75th anniversary of the Exile Archive, the exhibition was upgraded in late 2024. The "exile experience" offered by the exhibition is now even more accessible and immediate, thanks to new content, new perspectives and new approaches.

New items were added to illustrate the stories of people who were forced to leave Germany between 1933 and 1945, and present-day issues are given more room in the exhibition. Short films are shown to offer explanations and give an insight into the important cooperation between the Exile Archive and eyewitnesses and those bestowing estates to the Exile Archive. In the video interviews, the affected individuals speak about the ways in which exile has shaped their family histories. Contemporary issues are raised to encourage the visitors to think critically and share their own views.  

Two art installations were added that approach the topics flight and exile in new ways:

"The Passenger"

The production of "The Passenger" by the theatre collective "Auricle" (London, Berlin) turns Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz’ novel with the same title into an immersive experience. A collage of sound, video and lighting allows the visitors to dive into the story of the Jewish businessman Otto Silbermann who is fleeing from the National Socialists, and to experience what it means to be on the run. The typescript of the novel "The Passenger" was rediscovered a few years ago and has enjoyed international success. It is part of the Exile Archive’s collection and shown in the upgraded exhibition.

"What's left"

The interactive installation ("What's left") by the German-Israeli artist duo Yael Reuveny and Clemens Walter addresses present-day exile experiences. A composition of images and sounds reflects the memories of people who suffered oppression and persecution in their home countries. The memories shown are those of the writer and linguist Volha Hapeyeva (Belarus), of Zahra Maleki (Afghanistan), of the writer Yirgalem Fisseha Mebrahtu (Eritrea), the actress, author and anti–death penalty activist Shole Pakravan (Iran), the artist and teacher Katja Schraga (Russia), the writer and musician Liao Yiwu (China), and the graphic artist, photographer and LGBTQI activist Dasha Zorkina (Russia).

Image gallery

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Prof. Monika Grütters, Minister of State for Culture and the Media, visited the permanent exhibition on the opening evening on March 8, 2018 (L to R: Dr. Elisabeth Niggemann, Director General of the German National Library; Prof. Monika Grütters, Minister of State for Culture and the Media; Dr. Sylvia Asmus, Head of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945)

Pagination

: Doron Rabinovici …

Information for your visit

Address and getting here

German National Library
Adickesallee 1
60322 Frankfurt am Main

Getting here

We advise you to use public transport.