Foto: Ali Ghandtschi
It’s crime time!
Long night of museums
It’s the most thrilling case of the summer and has turned into a pattern of criminal activity: The Long Night of Museums. This year’s motive is “crime”!
Here at Futurium, everything revolves around one central question: How do we want to live? In the exhibition, you can explore a range of possible futures; in the Forum, you can participate in open discussions; and in the Futurium Lab, you can experiment with your own ideas.
Foto: Ali Ghandtschi
The future becomes a crime scene, and together with all of you amateur detectives, we’ll be investigating live at the Futurium. Assistance will be coming from Cologne: two criminologists will explain why crime occurs – and why preventing it often looks very different from what we might expect. If things get too exciting indoors, grab a deckchair and enjoy the summer night with music, food and drinks on our forecourt. That’s also where the legendary karaoke show takes place during this long night of investigation: the perfect alibi for all future superstars to spend the night at the museum.
18:00–22:30 | DJ Obstsalat: In the rhythm of investigation
Dance the night away
The forecourt will become a musical hot spot: an uplifting set featuring criminally smooth sounds. Plus, there’ll be tracks from your favourite TV series and films to get you in the perfect mood for a crime-filled night.
Location: Forecourt | DJ-Set
18:00–23:00 | Workshop: Fantastic objects from the future
What might the world of tomorrow look like? What inventions, ideas and challenges might shape our lives then? And what can we already work out about it today? At our hands-on stations, you can design and draw fantastic objects from the future and think together about the world in which they could exist. How will these ideas about the future change people's everyday lives? What opportunities and problems will they bring? Some unusual questions about the "future of crime" also encourage people to enter into a discussion and explore new perspectives. You can join in at any time. Allow about 20 minutes for your first exciting insights into these fascinating topics relating to the future. If there are too many people at one station, just try another and prepare yourself for some surprises!
- For families and children aged 8 and over
Location: Studio | workshop | german & englisch
18:00–24:00 | Improvisational theatre: Investigating crime – finding the future
Improvisionäre investigation team
The Improvisionäre are undercover investigators in Futurium. But solving this particular case is tricky: only those who interview all the witnesses, follow up on the leads and ask the right questions will come up with the right solution. With secret code words, hidden clues and all kinds of suspects, a picture of the future gradually emerges. It's not just about solving a crime. Together, you will examine the conflicts, rules and technologies that could change our society – and the ways in which we need to intervene to prevent the future from becoming a crime scene.
Location: Foyer | improvisation | german & english
18:30–19:30 | Game: Werewolves and Demons in the House of Futures
The cult game for young and old
Mistrust, murders and mischief: even during the Long Night of Museums, there’s no break in the fight against evil. Werewolves and demons are on the loose. Who is hiding something and who is playing a double-faced game? Only through keen observation, skilful reasoning and good instincts you will unmask the monsters.
The classic game ‘Werewolf’ will be played from 18.30: with game modes for adults, children aged 9 and over, and English-speaking players.
The ultimate spin-off, ‘Blood on the Clocktower’, will be played from 20:30: with game modes for adults and English-speaking players.
Location: Studio | german | age: 9 years and over
18:45–23:30 | Interactive Areas: Crime scene of the future
One evening, countless clues
Futurium will be buzzing in the evening. We will be carrying out an investigation into a criminal case based on real future issues that can only be understood, investigated, negotiated and hopefully solved by finding clues in the exhibition. Whether you are an experienced sleuth or just an amateur detective: everyone is welcome.
Three major questions of the future are at stake:
- Station 1 | 18:45, 19:45, 20:45, 21:45 | Electric zombie: Are zombie devices taking over our homes?
When our devices stop updating themselves, what should we do with the technology that no longer works but is somehow still there? By exploring ideas around repairing, hacking and upcycling, we discuss who is actually to blame when the smart world suddenly stops being quite so smart. - Station 2 | 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00 | Fig tree crime scene: Is the displacement of nature a factor that will take the system beyond its tipping point?
Pathogens now travel almost as much as we do. What happens when people displace nature and diseases find new ways of spreading? Work together to decipher the clues in a researcher's diary. - Station 3 | 19:30, 20:30 21:30, 22:30 | Tales of inequality: Who pays the price for our consumption?
Gold, mica, devices – and the stories behind them. This case requires investigation of raw materials, global dependencies and the issues around the traces that our prosperity leaves behind.
An evening with crime scene vibes and surprising insights that is guaranteed not to involve a chase.
Location: Exhibition | german & english
19:00–19:30 | Talk: Crime in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being exploited for criminal purposes. Deepfakes, bots and agents are being used to create and disseminate sexualised and radicalising content, as well as disinformation. What is needed to deal with these new threats, and whose responsibility is it? A debate with Prof. Dr Gina Rosa Wollinger.
Location: Exhibition | conversation | german
20:00-20:30 | Talk: The future on trial
Climate policy and the protection of future generations
The natural resources on which young and future generations depend are under threat. This discussion with Dr Roda Verheyen focuses on how their civil liberties can be better protected: from stronger climate protection laws in Germany to the prosecution of serious environmental crimes by the International Criminal Court.
- Guest: Dr Roda Verheyen, lawyer and judge at the Hamburg Constitutional Court
Location: Exhibition | conversation | german
20:30–21:30 | Game: Werewolves and Demons in the House of Futures
The cult game for young and old
Mistrust, murders and mischief: even during the Long Night of Museums, there’s no break in the fight against evil. Werewolves and demons are on the loose. Who is hiding something and who is playing a double-faced game? Only through keen observation, skilful reasoning and good instincts you will unmask the monsters.
The classic game ‘Werewolf’ will be played from 18.30: with game modes for adults, children aged 9 and over, and English-speaking players.
The ultimate spin-off, ‘Blood on the Clocktower’, will be played from 20:30: with game modes for adults and English-speaking players.
Location: Studio | game | age: 14 years and over
21:00-21:45 | Talk: Predicting crime
Why a change of perspective pays off
How does a crime actually come about and how can it be prevented? Research shows that harsh penalties and strict controls only help to a limited extent. As long as the causes of crime exist, crime will be a problem. This explains why modern crime prevention focuses more on the conditions under which criminal offences occur in the first place.
We take a look at the latest findings in criminology, the social sciences and prevention research. Together we discuss new ways to stop crime: how can we tackle social inequality, lack of prospects and isolation at an early stage? What role do education, youth work, urban planning and social participation play in how safe a society feels? Sociologists Dr Nicole Bögelein and Prof Gina Rosa Wollinger show how a change of perspective can potentially lead to a long-term sense of safety.
Guests:
- Dr Nicole Bögelein, University of Cologne
- Prof Gina Rosa Wollinger, North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration
Location: Exhibition | conversation | german
22:00–02:00 | Interactive Rallye: Project Horizon
An interactive escape game
Disguised as ordinary visitors, you’ll be wandering inconspicuously around the exhibition, helping a scientist solve a mysterious case. What begins as a harmless exploration tour will soon unfold into an ingenious crime story, as part of which you’ll have to complete a series of tricky puzzles and tasks in order to emerge as unscathed as possible. But don’t worry – the only thing you’ll need is the right amount of team spirit.
Location: Foyer | Rallye | german & english | For 2–4 participants age 16 and up | duration: approx. 90 minutes
22:30–23:00 | Talk: A world without prisons
Around 55,000 people were in prison in Germany last year alone. However, prison sentences do not always lead to rehabilitation; in fact, they often encourage reoffending. Dr Nicole Bögelein will discuss alternative sentences designed to be more effective, and consider what a fair and successful criminal justice system might look like.
Location: Exhibition | conversation | german
22:30–02:00 | Killer Karaoke: Glitz, glamour and great singing
Late-night variety show with Filipino influences
A playful variety theatre atmosphere with Filipino influences awaits: live performances, dazzling costumes, opportunities to sing along, spontaneous stage appearances and an awesome karaoke party. Come along, sing with us and spend the evening in a loud, colourful and uninhibitedly cheerful atmosphere!
Location: Forecourt | Karaoke-Party | german
Information
- Venue: Futurium
- Entrance fee: To take part in the Long Night of Museums programme and gain entry to the Futurium, you will need to purchase a Long Night ticket.
- Event language: German
Accessibility
- We are a wheelchair accessible venue.
- People with visual impairments are welcome. We will request guide dog assistance if you need it.
- Participation requirements: no prior knowledge required
- The event addresses interested people of all ages.
- Drinks and food are available for purchase.
The future is for everyone! The Futurium wants to be accessible to everyone. If there are any other access needs on your part, please feel free to let us know. We will try to meet them: info@futurium.de
All information on accessibility can be found here: https://futurium.de/en/accessibility.
Photo & Video
Photos will be taken during the event. If you don’t wish to be pictured, please let us know in advance
Tickets
- To attend the Long Night of Museums programme and gain entry to the Futurium, you’ll need to purchase a Long Night ticket. You can buy it from the start of August via this link. Tip: Keep an eye out for the discounted ticket offer!
Futurium thrives on big ideas – and small contributions. Your donation makes the future possible! You can support Futurium here: https://futurium.de/en/donate.