Beethoven-Haus Museum Reopens in Bonn for Anniversary Celebrations

Beethoven-Haus in Bonn has reopened to the public after a temporary closure aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19. This reopening allows the year of celebrations for Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday to continue, with the overall programme of events across the country extended until September 2021.

The museum operates from 11 AM to 5 PM, Friday through Sunday, and on national holidays on June 1 and 11. The new permanent exhibition boasts over 200 original exhibits, including manuscripts, instruments, and portraits. Visitors are required to wear masks inside the museum and shop, and while group visits are not allowed, families and individuals from different households can enter together. Although no devices are provided, media guides can be downloaded for free from AppStore or GooglePlay to enhance the visitor experience.

Beethoven Jubiläums GmbH has been responsible for coordinating a captivating programme of national events under the BTHVN2020 umbrella to celebrate the 250th anniversary throughout Germany. While numerous planned events have been cancelled or postponed, many have been creatively transformed and are currently available to enjoy virtually. Initially set to conclude on December 17, 2020, this celebration has been extended to September 2021, enhancing the overall engagement with Beethoven’s legacy.

The mayor of Bonn, Ashok Sridharan, reflected on the impact of the coronavirus, stating, “The Beethoven anniversary was stopped in the middle of its successful implementation by the coronavirus. However, the creative minds behind it did not let themselves be slowed down, and immediately set about moving as many of the events as possible into next year. New dates have already been found in June 2021 for the three big open-air concerts with Robbie Williams, Kraftwerk, and the Fantastic 4. Furthermore, the Beethovenfest will take place in September 2021 instead of this September, with almost the same program, and we have just received several awards from the Art Directors’ Club for our Beethoven Tour.”

The full programme of events can be viewed on the BTHVN2020 website here, while further information about the Beethoven Haus museum can be accessed here.