End of exhibition:
29. January 2023
"Struwwelpeter - between fascination and childhood terror"
In 1844, the now world-famous first narrative German children's book "Der Struwwelpeter" was published - written by the doctor Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894). The stories about Paulinchen and the thumbsucker have influenced generations and terms such as "Zappel-Philipp", "Suppenkasper" and "Hans Guck-in-die-Luft" have long since entered common parlance.
The book was considered progressive at the time and was the most successful educational guide in Europe. After all, it taught children about cleanliness in a vivid way and discouraged "tippling" or "coquetting". Nowadays, however, "Struwwelpeter" is more than "just" a children's story - it is a political issue. The "Story of the Black Boy" is one of the first to deal with racism. Furthermore, with its drastic consequences for naughty behaviour, the book became the epitome of black pedagogy.
"Ugh! Cries everyone: "Struwwelpeter!"
The special exhibition "Der Struwwelpeter - Zwischen Faszination und Kinderschreck" (The Struwwelpeter - Between Fascination and Childhood Fright) at the Museum of Cultural History in Magdeburg dealt with the work in all its many facets: Beginning with the biography of Heinrich Hoffmann and the early first editions, the politicisation of the "Struwwelpeter" with "Struwwelhitler", through the female edition of the "Struwwelliese", to modern variants with completely new stories.
Over 200 exhibits from private collections, some of which had never been shown before, illustrated the diversity of children's books. In addition to books and original drawings, the stories also appeared in music videos, animated series, radio plays and adaptations by Magdeburg's puppet theatre and playhouse. The motifs from the books were also used for card and board games, there are figurines from the Erzgebirge and other small curiosities.
"Bring them good enough, and a nice picture book"
The exhibition dealt with the stories of Struwwelpeter, which have inspired numerous artists since their creation. The interpretations range from modern comics from the second half of the 20th and the early 21st century, such as "Struwwelpeter's Return" by Anke Kuhl or the "Struwwel-Vader" by Matthias Kringe. Overarching themes such as diversity and tolerance, gender, media and education are addressed within the exhibition chapters, thus demonstrating the entire spectrum of readings and possible interpretations of "Struwwelpeter".
