BMUV @Demokratiefest 2024

The federal government invited visitors to the Berlin government district to attend a democracy festival under the motto “Celebrate democracy. The constitution is turning 75”. The BMUV took this opportunity to make a statement about environmental protection and social cohesion. This led them to develop the idea of the BMUV court festival together with the agency facts and fiction: a place where citizens and political representatives could meet, discuss and celebrate the constitution together.

The festival was intended to feel like an authentic Berlin court festival, where the neighbourhood could gather and spend time together. To create a suitable atmosphere, the creators worked with colourful street art elements and a variety of second-hand furniture. Existing bollards in the event area were converted into benches and raised beds.

The pavilion in the style of a tiny house was equipped with a kitchen, living and dining room. The furniture items bore labels that revealed to the guests how the objects related to the ministry’s work – this conveyed how strongly and positively the BMUV influences our everyday lives.

During conversations at tables, subject specialists talked in small groups about the current challenges faced by the environmental policy. The focus was on open dialogue, without professional barriers. These discussions enabled many participants to see the BMUV from a new perspective: not as an abstract institution but as a hands-on ministry.

The technological highlight was a VR application that allowed visitors to cycle virtually along the Green Belt – currently the largest continuous nature conservation area in Germany. The result was a singular experience that combined democratic history, environmental protection and technology. In addition, a quiz app playfully drew attention to false information in discussions about environment and nature conservation topics.