The exhibition focuses on the important role that language plays both within the Bible and its history and for the dissemination of the Bible. That is why we have divided the exhibition into two parts: In the first part, we deal with mutual understanding or lack of understanding – on the one hand, with the Old Testament story of the Tower of Babel, and on the other hand, with the miracle of Pentecost from the New Testament. The second part of the exhibition is about Bible translations into the vernacular and their dissemination. Here we show that the invention of the printing press also played a very important role.

Many visitors were able to discover something new for themselves in the exhibition. Something that may have seemed self-evident to them before – namely, reading a Bible in their own language – may no longer be so and is thus viewed through different eyes. We show this through many different objects from a wide range of genres. These objects include manuscripts, printed books, prints, drawings, but also paintings and even a stone from Babylon dating from the 6th century BC. And I personally enjoyed that very much.

Creating a Future Vision
This year, as a museum, we have focused on the annual motto “Creating a Future Vision”: languages, in particular, are forward-looking. The fundamental question of how we communicate with each other in society is of great importance. We are influenced by the long and rich tradition of many people before us – important theologians, scholars, printers and artists – who, in keeping with the spirit of the times, have explored a new vision of the future. They have all devoted themselves to the subject of language and have also used it to include or exclude other people or groups. 

An accompanying publication has been produced for the exhibition. The first part deals with the significance of language, mutual understanding and understanding for one another in the Bible. The second part is about the significance of language for the Bible itself.