Forbidden books

Whether autocratic rulers, totalitarian regimes or stubborn bureaucrats, whether concerned parents, strict judges or guardians of the true faith - for as long as books have existed, there has been a bitter struggle over the opposition between artistic freedom and strict moral, political or religious ideas: An exhibition with stories from and about famous books that were banned.

Banning books means power and control. Control over the politically unpopular, over women, over the socially disadvantaged, over people who are seen as not belonging. To keep people away from education is to prevent them from thinking freely and empowering themselves. Censorship has existed since the invention of printing and is reaching new dimensions in many regions of the world today. Nevertheless, the freedom of the word must be protected and defended, even in democracies, and its value must be constantly re-examined.

The current debate shows how existential the issue is felt to be. From the "librorum prohibitorum" index of the Roman Inquisition to the book burning of the National Socialists to the assassination attempt on Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses", which only narrowly failed: the exhibition explores the difference between prohibition and sensitisation in changing societies.

Last edited on 12.03.2025