Wishes, fairy tales and rituals: Discover the exhibition in Bamberg!

Wishes, fairy tales and rituals: Discover the exhibition in Bamberg!

In Bamberg there is an exciting reason to be amazed in the Historical Museum: the exhibition "Make a Wish! Make a Wish!" runs until March 22, 2026 and deals with the topic of desires in a captivating way. Curator Eleonora Cagol underlines how deeply rooted desires are in philosophy, psychology and religion and shows how desires also play an important role in everyday life. The exhibition invites visitors to think about the different facets of desire.

A striking eye-catcher in the exhibition is a large, white plastic horse that pulls a historic sleigh from the 18th century. Numerous objects from stories, films and mythology are arranged around this horse. Among them you will find iconic items such as the transparent shoeCinderella, a flying carpetOne Thousand and One Nightsas well as the green fin of the Little Mermaid. These objects illustrate how firmly anchored desire is in the fabric of fairy tales.

Fairytale wishes and their consequences

Examples from fairy tales show that wishes often drive the plot. The protagonists in these stories often have to sacrifice something to get their wishes fulfilled. This leads to a deep understanding of human desires and the consequences that desire brings. Media stations within the exhibition present various film clips and literature about the fairy tales and allow visitors to delve even deeper into the world of wishes.

Another fascinating aspect of the exhibition are the votive offerings from the Bamberg Diocesan Museum, which show the connection between wishes and sacrifices. For example, three offerings made of red wax depicting the hand, ear and eyes, as well as two silver objects are on display. These votive offerings express the desire for health and show the different levels of investment associated with personal wishes.

Rituals of wishing in everyday life

The exhibition also highlights the everyday rituals associated with wishing. These include dandelions, birthday candles, four-leaf clovers and shooting stars. A closer look reveals that children's wishes are often completely different: they dream of toys or spending time with the family, while adults tend to have wishes for peace and health. The exhibition encourages reflection on the common human experience of wishing and how belief in higher powers is often linked to wishing.

This diversity of wishes can also be experienced in well-known fairy tales. For example, the story of a poor woodcutter who receives three wishes from a fairy can serve as an illustrative story. As the woodcutter struggles with his desires and has difficulty controlling them, it becomes clear how important it is to think about your desires before acting. The woodcutter who wishes for black puddings struggles with the unexpected consequences of his wish, reinforcing the moral of these fairy tales. ( hekaya.de ).

Overall, the exhibition in Bamberg not only offers an impressive insight into the world of desires, but also encourages visitors to think about their own longings and the rituals associated with them. Whether in fairy tales, everyday life or religion – wishes are present everywhere and xidanx accompany us throughout our lives. Maybe it's time to redefine and question your own “desires”.

For anyone interested in the psychology of fairy tales, take another look at the work of Hans Christian Andersen, which shows what we can learn from the stories that have been told for generations. ( spektrum.de ).

The exhibition "Make a Wish! Make a Wish!" in the Historical Museum Bamberg is therefore a must not only for fairy tale fanatics, but for everyone who wants to go on an exciting journey into the world of wishes. Take the opportunity and visit Bamberg!