Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum: Cultures of the world

The "Rautenstrauch Joest Museum - Cultures of the World"  invites to an ethnological journey around the world. More than 60,000 objects, 100,000 historic photographs from Oceania, Africa, Asia and America, and a considerable specialist library provide an insight into the cultures outside Europe - with cult objects from the American Indians and the Eskimos of Central and South America, Oceania, Hawaii, Africa, Indonesia, Cambodia.

The innovative presentation concept does not follow the division into major geographical regions usual in comparable museums. Instead it takes up themes which move people all over the world, but which they address in their own special way depending on regional and cultural influences.

This comparative cultural approach emphasises the equality and equal validity of all cultures, it provides impulses for thought and stimulates dialogue. The inclusion of our own culture in this comparative approach goes some way towards relativising our own standpoint.

3,600 m² of exhibition space invite visitors to embark on a journey of discovery which is both unexpected and enlightening. The presentation is centred on the authentic object with its specific aura and context. The design concept of the theme-based presentation uses the media of scenography. A special design was created for each section. Multimedia points encourage visitors to engage actively with the presentation, which is complemented by a wide variety of events.