Opened in 2000 the Erich Kästner Museum celebrates a literary giant. This museum honors Erich Kästner a renowned children’s author. He was also a poet journalist and media man. Kästner stands as an exemplary author. He defined the 20th century.
The Erich Kästner Museum resides in the Villa Augustin. This building once belonged to Kästner’s uncle. His uncle Franz Augustin was a wealthy horse trader. As a youth Erich often visited. In fact the Albertplatz tram stop is announced as “Albertplatz – Erich Kästner Museum”.
Inside the museum embraces a “less is more” philosophy. The Irish architect Ruairí O’Brien designed it. He envisioned a “walkable treasure-chest”. Mobility interaction and compactness are core principles. It is a mobile interactive micromuseum.
The museum occupies only a single room of 30 square meters. Thirteen mobile modules fill this space. Each module has drawers color-coded. These colors represent aspects of Kästner’s life and work. Visitors can touch read and explore. Original exhibits from Kästner’s estate are displayed.
Erich Kästner was born in Dresden in 1899. His early life shaped his writing. His childhood was marked by modest circumstances. His mother sewed waistbands at home.
Kästner described Dresden in his memoir. He called it “Als ich ein kleiner Junge war”. The memoir is filled with love and humor. He attended school in Dresden. Later he trained to be a teacher.
The museum highlights Kästner’s Dresden and Leipzig years. It explores his work’s connections with children. His relationship with the media is also examined. First editions of his books are present. “Emil and the Detectives” is among them. Garments and objects belonging to Kästner are also on display.
A bronze sculpture stands outside. It depicts young Kästner on a wall. He watches the Albertplatz bustle. Trams pass by. This scene reflects his childhood memories. The main characters of “Anna Louise and Anton” are named after Kästner’s cousin.
The Erich Kästner Museum was funded by private donations. The Förderverein für das Erich Kästner Museum organized it.
The museum’s design won awards. In 2002 it received the Museum Prize from the Heinz and Brigitte Schirnig Foundation. Its innovative open character and miniature scale were praised. In 2003 the German Federal Culture Foundation recognized its micromuseum concept.
Originally a tree stood in front of the museum. People threw shoes over its branches. This created a shoe tree. The tree was cleaned of shoes in 2018.
The Erich Kästner Museum offers a playful way to explore Kästner’s world. Visitors can re-contextualize museum objects. They can connect them with their own knowledge. The museum encourages self-determined informal discovery. It ensures Kästner’s legacy lives on.