Exhibition JKS – Dresden spricht (2024) © Matthias Schumann
The ANSPRECHBAR exhibitions
The ANSPRECHBAR exhibitions showcase 24 people from Dresden, all of whom link their own stories and experiences to their languages, regardless of whether they grew up in Dresden or moved there. They talk about this in interviews and have each written down a proverb for us in their mother tongue.
Further information on the individual languages can be found in our magazines ‘Dresden spricht… viele Sprachen‘ and ‘Dresden ist … #ANSPRECHBAR‘, or directly from our projects ‘Dresden spricht…‘ (2024) and ‘ANSPRECHBAR‘ (2025).
The linguistic diversity in Dresden is amazing!
A baby’s first cry is the same all over the world, regardless of the language. A child’s first word, however, sounds quite different. Our parents and the world around us shape our language, which stays with us for the rest of our lives.
The words of this language (or these languages) shape our view of the world and help us develop our own individual character.
Words have a life of their own. We ascribe meanings to them that roll off our tongues easily in our youth, but which can be difficult to express in old age.
Words are a powerful tool. They can reveal who we are.
But language has even more facets. There is the spoken word. There is expression through images. And the language of birds and animals.
Language can be encouraging. It can limit us. It can exclude others. Language makes us human.
In our projects ‘Dresden spricht…’ (2024) and ‘ANSPRECHBAR’ (2025), we pricked up our ears and opened our eyes. On the street, in cafés, at the kitchen table. We spoke to people who speak different native languages. To people who find it difficult to express themselves clearly. We spoke to blind people, for whom language is vital for exploring the world.
It’s exciting when you listen carefully and keep the conversation going. So… let’s have a chat!