Günter Grass made literary history with his novel "The Tin Drum." He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his oeuvre. Since 2002, the Günter Grass House has presented the life and work of this versatile artist. Until his death in 2015, the writer, graphic artist, and sculptor frequented the historic building in Lübeck's Old Town, where he maintained his office for many years. Today, a permanent exhibition redesigned in 2022 combines authentic experiences with interactive media.
In a lovingly decorated grocery store, visitors can explore the world of the author's most famous character. Amidst eels, potatoes, and fizzy powder, the story of the little tin drummer Oskar Matzerath comes to life. He closely observes the social changes during the Nazi era and comments on them with loud drumming and shrill screams.
Afterwards, the open archive and interactive media stations invite visitors to delve deeper into the extensive work and fascinating life of Günter Grass. Original graphics demonstrate his attentive observation of his surroundings and how, with brush and pencil, he sought to capture and depict complex ideas in everyday objects. A selection of his sculptures can be seen in an idyllic garden that connects the museum to the adjacent Willy Brandt House.
There's also plenty for children to experience in the museum. In the "Tulla" children's ship station, young guests can read in peace and discover a wealth of things. Then, they'll explore the Günter Grass House with the story "All aboard?", specially developed for the museum by children's book author Nadia Budde: Captain Olek Schnarock has lost his crew. Anyone who manages to gather everyone, from the ship's cook to the helmsman, can finally romp and climb to their heart's content on a wooden ship.
In a highly acclaimed series, the museum also presents other artists who, like Günter Grass, worked in more than one discipline. Past special exhibitions have focused on literary and visual artists such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann Hesse, Gottfried Keller, Arno Schmidt, Ernst Barlach, Janosch, Robert Gernhardt, John Lennon, Markus Lüpertz, Winston Churchill, Joachim Ringelnatz, Jonathan Meese, and Cornelia Funke. Most recently, photographs by Bryan Adams were on display.
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Special exhibition Else Lasker-Schüler: Artist, Poet, World Builder
Else Lasker-Schüler (1869–1945) is one of the most fascinating figures of classical modernism—with modernity, rhythm, and mysticism, she enchants as a living Gesamtkunstwerk. The Günter Grass House presents an exhibition that explores the art, life, and contemporary relevance of this lyrical bohemian artist. Featuring over 80 drawings, letters, and publications compiled from private and public collections, the show invites visitors to rediscover the interplay of language and image in Lasker-Schüler's artistic legacy.
Else Lasker-Schüler © Else Lasker-Schüler Society
From 1900 onwards, Lasker-Schüler developed her unmistakable drawing style: clear lines, colorful crayons, sometimes with golden accents made from candy wrappers. Middle Eastern motifs, symbolic mysticism, and intercultural coexistence are the themes of her modern paintings. Clear drawings, ambiguous language: Lasker-Schüler polarized opinion with her innovative style. In addition to her internationally acclaimed poetry, the exhibition also features dramatic and prose texts. In Berlin cafés, Lasker-Schüler staged herself as "Yusuf, Prince of Thebes," oscillating between reality and artistic fiction. Using words, images, and performance, she created a poetic counterworld. Six exhibits by emerging artists bring this into the 21st century.
In September, some of the letters, postcards and drawings will be exchanged in order to be able to show as many exhibits as possible.
June 25 to November 9, 2025
