In the footsteps of Goethe – an unforgettable trip to Weimar
How do you bring history, literature and art to life? By travelling to where it was written! Our students from the Berlin Cosmopolitan School immersed themselves in Weimar Classicism on their excursion to Weimar – and returned with countless impressions and new insights.
How do you bring history, literature and art to life? By travelling to where it was written! Our students from the Berlin Cosmopolitan School immersed themselves in Weimar Classicism on their excursion to Weimar – and returned with countless impressions and new insights.
Arrival in the city of poets and thinkers
Weimar welcomed the group with bright sunshine and a cosy youth hostel right next to Poseck’s Garden. As soon as they arrived, the literary adventure began: the Goethe House was the first stop on the programme. Equipped with audio guides and questionnaires, the students explored Goethe’s home and marvelled at the magnificent interior, the impressive art collection and the hidden details of the historic rooms. The ‘June Room’ in particular, with its imposing Roman bust and the long, mysterious staircase, left a lasting impression.
Theatre, Bauhaus and a little surprise
After the city tour, another highlight was planned: a visit to the German National Theatre. However, the performance of ‘Faust’ was cancelled at short notice. The teachers and students spontaneously decided to see the play ‘Art’ by Yasmina Reza instead – a humorous and profound insight into the world of modern art. In the afternoon, there was the opportunity to visit either the Duchess Anna Amalia Library with its famous rococo hall or the Bauhaus Museum with its avant-garde works. Both places offered stimulating insights into different facets of cultural history.
Nature, reflection and a return to Berlin
The next morning began with a relaxing walk through the park on the Ilm, where Goethe’s garden house is located – a perfect place to reflect, linger and explore. Before travelling home, the students reflected on their experiences: What was the significance of Weimar as a cultural centre? How can the themes of Weimar Classicism be applied to today’s issues? The visit was not only a journey into the past, but also an inspiration for the future.
Learning outside the classroom
The excursion to Weimar made history, art and literature a tangible experience. The combination of museum visits, city walks and theatre created a unique learning environment in which the pupils were able to actively engage with German classicism. Back at school, the experience was taken up directly – with a joint reading of Goethe’s ‘Easter Walk’ from ‘Faust’.
One thing is certain: Weimar inspired the pupils!
