Experience Dresden in 2012

Jubilee Exhibition: Sistine Madonna Turns 500

Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery), Semper Building at Zwinger,
26th May - 26th August 2012

Raffael's Sistine Madonna has been profoundly influencing the history of European art for centuries. On the occasion of her 500th birthday, the Old Masters Picture Gallery of the Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden) is hosting a glorious celebration befitting such a timeless beauty and the genesis of this masterpiece, a Dresden treasure since 1754.

• Dresden State Art Collections website

Jubilee Exhibition: "ATLAS" (Gerhard Richter)

Sempergalerie (Semper Gallery)
04th Feb - 22nd April 2012

Gerhard Richter is one of today's most eminent contemporary artists. In celebration of his 80th birthday, the Gerhard Richter Archive endeavours to provide insight into the creative process behind the works of this Dresden-born artist. The exhibition is centred around his so-called ATLAS which ultimately reveals close to 800 framed panels of more than 15,000 photographs, newspaper clippings, drawings and sketches.

• Dresden State Art Collections website

Reopening of the Military History Museum

Reopened in October 2011

After an extensive remodelling period, Dresden’s Military History Museum reopened in late 2011 and is now one of the largest and most modern military museums in all of Europe. Star architect Daniel Libeskind realised this vision by driving an immense wedge of glass, steel and concrete through the former neoclassical armoury building. The exhibits within the building also emphasise the continuities and discontinuities within Germany’s military and culture from the Middle Ages through to today.

• Military History Museum website

10th Annual Dresden Long Night of Science

approx. 24 locations
06th July 2012

Dresden's "Long Night of Science" celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012. Numerous research and other facilities of major institutes and universities in and around Dresden will open their doors on 6th July from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. to visitors of all ages for a full night of scientific exhibitions, presentations, live experiments, talks and tours.

Long Night of Science website

• To the home page of the Long Night of Science

Axolotl: A regenerative wonder

What interest could a Mexican salamander possibly hold for a city bearing the proud Meissner lion on its coat of arms? The answer can be found at Dresden's University of Technology DFG Research Centre for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), where bio scientists are studying the axolotl's ability to regenerate entire limbs and organs upon loss. The ambitious goal of the research is to harness this regenerative ability in developing new treatments for virulent and incurable diseases. A fascinating idea which has turned the humble amphibian into a symbol for Dresden - long a city of culture and art - now also a city of the future and a preeminent location for groundbreaking science.

• CRTD website

Jubilee season celebrating the 110th anniversary of Circus Sarrasani

Sarrasani Trocadero
15th Nov 2011 - 15th Feb 2012

With his first appearance in Dresden in 1900, Giovanni Sarrasani laid the foundation for the illustrious history of one of the most celebrated circus troupes ever. Just two years later, he would celebrate the world premiere of Circus Sarrasani, now in its 110th season.
Sarrasani is now presenting its new show, "Luminesque - The Magic of Colours", through 15th February 2012 in the Trocadero Dinner Variety Theatre. Blending acrobatics and haute cuisine with uniquely choreographed, magical worlds of light and colour, this dazzling experience is not to be missed. New chef and star cook Mirko Reeh meanwhile creates the accompanying culinary magic.

• Circus Sarrasani website

Dresden Maya Codex

Sächsische Landes-, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek
(Saxon State and University Library)
Year-round
Special exhibit: 24th Feb - 12th May 2010

On the occasion of Mayan Year 2012, the Saxon State Library presents a special "Dresden and the Maya Codex" exhibit from 24th February to 12th May 2012 illustrating how the Maya Codex was deciphered, especially its calendar which predicts the coming end of the world on 21st December 2012 and has already been the basis for countless conspiracy theories, films and books.

As the oldest and best preserved book from one of antiquity's most noted advanced civilisations, the "Maya Codex" has been safeguarded in Dresden since 1740.

• SLUB Dresden/Maya Codex website

Dresden University of Technology Excellence Initiative

As of 01st September 2011, Dresden's University of Technology has submitted four proposals totalling more than 170 million Euro to the federal and state excellence initiatives. These proposals as well as many from other German universities will be reviewed over the next few months by an international expert commission comprised of members from the German Research Foundation and the German Science Council.
Announcement of the individual proposal approvals will be made on 15th June 2012.

• Dresden University of Technology website

Christian Thielemann

Semperoper (Semper Opera House), Dresden
01st Sept 2012

Star conductor Christian Thielemann was born into a Berlin family of music lovers.
He possesses a broad repertoire from Bach to Henze to Gubaidulina and his interpretations are praised as exemplary throughout the world.
With his inaugural concert on 01st September 2012, Christian Thielemann will take up the baton as principle conductor for Dresden's Saxon State Orchestra. On 18th November 2012, Christian will conduct his first opera, "Der Rosenkavalier" by Richard Strauss, at Dresden's Semper Opera House.

• Saxon State Orchestra website

Transport Museum

Opening 05th May 2012

The Dresden Transport Museum is opening its new permanent aviation exhibition on 05th May 2012 - just in time for the museum's 60th anniversary.

Visitors can delight in all the important events and developments from 200 years of aviation history now presented under the general umbrella of "Air Travel". Apart from the technical aspects of the aviation industry, the exhibit moreover presents cultural and historical aspects of flying. Special attention is particularly paid to the GDR aeronautical industry as planes were also being built in Dresden from 1956 to 1961, including the "152" - Germany's first passenger jet - now honoured with its own spot in the permanent exhibition.

• Transport Museum website