When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition date is November 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Where is the exhibition held?

The exhibition can be seen at the Schleswig-Holstein-Haus Cultural Forum at Puschkinstr. 12 in 19055 Schwerin.

How long is the exhibition open?

The exhibition runs from November 25, 2026, to February 7, 2027, and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What is the admission price?

The regular admission is 3 euros, reduced 2 euros. Children and teenagers up to 18 years have free admission.

Who is at the center of the exhibition?

The focus is on nutcracker figures from the private collection of Henry Gawlick from Hagenow as well as numerous loans.

Are guided tours possible?

Guided tours are possible upon request at the Mecklenburg Foundation.

Nutcracker Exhibition Schwerin 2026

Name: "I am called Hansel, I bite nuts... - About the history of a Christmas symbol"
Start: 2026-11-26T11:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-26T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Kulturforum Schleswig-Holstein-Haus

When wooden figures tell history: Nutcrackers in Schwerin

At the Schleswig-Holstein-Haus Cultural Forum, the special exhibition "I am called Hansel, I bite nuts..." opens a fascinating chapter of Christmas-themed everyday and folk art. The focus is on nutcracker figures, whose distinctive faces, colorful uniforms, and artistic wood design extend far beyond the decorative Christmas world.

Between folk art and collector culture

The exhibition of the Mecklenburg Foundation traces the development of the nutcracker from its beginnings in the mid-19th century to the 1990s. It shows in which centers the figures were produced, how they made their way to the north, and what forms emerged over time.

Particularly impressive is the look at the significance of nutcrackers in the GDR. As mostly soldier-shaped wooden figures, they stood outside the Christian Christmas symbolism and yet became coveted collector's items. The exhibition illustrates how closely design, political everyday culture, and personal memory are interconnected.

A collection with a regional perspective

The private collection of Henry Gawlick from Hagenow can be seen, supplemented by numerous loans. This creates a versatile panorama of historical figures, regional craftsmanship, and cultural-historical testimonies. Each figure bears the traces of its time: in its coloring, posture, uniform, and characteristic jawline.

From Christmas custom to cultural history

The staging connects object history with illustrative mediation. It questions why the nutcracker has remained popular over generations and whether new specimens are still being produced today. Thus, a seemingly familiar Christmas figure becomes an exciting access to craftsmanship, memory culture, and East German everyday history.

The theater atmosphere in a metaphorical sense arises from the interplay of the exhibits: Like on a quiet stage, the figures emerge individually and as a group. Visitors encounter a collection that oscillates between fairy tale motif, souvenir, handicraft, and historical document.

Conclusion: A wintry stage experience without a curtain

"I am called Hansel, I bite nuts..." invites viewers to look at the nutcracker with new eyes. The exhibition project connects sensory impressions, cultural-historical classification, and regional collection history to create a special Schwerin stage experience in the exhibition space. Those who wish to discover the origin and transformation of a familiar Christmas symbol will experience history to see and wonder.