Dark Stories – Stories in the Dark

A journey through the darker sides of history

The three cultural history venues – the exhibitions in Skt. Mortens Gade, Hjorths Fabrik and Erichsens Gård – invite you on a special journey through some of history’s darker sides.

On this shared tour between the three locations, participants encounter stories and talks that explore darkness in different ways: the darker sides of Bornholm’s history, darkness as inspiration, and the dark and mysterious elements hidden in houses and gardens.

The tour begins at Bornholms Museum in Skt. Mortens Gade, where a host welcomes the group and leads participants from place to place. Along the way, an archaeologist tells of aspects of the finds that cannot be seen with the naked eye – mysterious finds whose stories still remain in the dark.

Among objects from around the world, the tour focuses on the role of Bornholm residents in some of the dark chapters of world history, including the colonisation of Congo and Greenland. How do we relate to that history today? Bornholm also has stories of oppression, presented by the Schoolmistress in the classroom.

The tour then continues to Hjorths Fabrik. With a bat-shaped torch in hand, participants enter the darkness of the factory. Here they meet ceramicist Michael Geertsen, who talks about black terracotta jars, lamp bases and other objects decorated with cats, bats, billy goats and insects, created in a time deeply fascinated by the dark and mysterious.

In the throwing room, hear about working in greater or lesser darkness – and especially about the day when the oil lamps were prepared and suddenly brought more light to the work.

The tour ends at Erichsens Gård. Here, we sense and listen to the darkness in the house and garden and discuss ideas of darkness and mystery through the ages. Are there spirits in the house? And which garden plants are poisonous?

Borrow an amber torch and experience the garden in a new light, or find peace and listen to the sounds of the dark. Drinks are available for purchase, and you can end the evening in the garden or conservatory while small lanterns glow here and there.

Admission: For guests with a Kulturuge wristband.