It is now official and the cultural landscape can breathe a sigh of relief: museums across Germany are allowed to reopen, subject to strict hygiene and safety regulations. This means that Europe's largest private museum can reopen its doors after more than six weeks: the Technik Museum Sinsheim on May 6, its 39th birthday, followed by the Technik Museum Speyer on May 11. "Summer vacations are off for many this year - regional experiences are now in demand. And that's where we come in," explains Matthias Templin, Managing Director of the museums.
Closed for almost two months
It was March 17, 2020 when the Technik Museen Sinsheim Speyer had to close until further notice for the first time in its almost 40-year history due to the general decree on SARS-CoV-2 issued by the state governments. The same applied to the museum's own hotels. Since then, everything has been different - no cheerful shouting in the playgrounds, no hustle and bustle in the museum halls, no colorful classic car meetings in the parking lots - for the museum staff it was simply surreal. This was followed by the cancellation of all open-air events into August, above all Brazzeltag, the technology festival in the cathedral city, and even short-time working.
In order to cope with the situation and in line with the motto "extraordinary circumstances require creative measures", the Sinsheim museum restaurant and hotel started to offer a variety of "take away" promotions. In addition, the hotel is making its rooms available as an "out of home office". With the opening of the two museum stores on April 20, some normality finally returned. The Speyer drive-in movie theater followed on April 30. "Of course, such activities are not systemically relevant, but they do give our employees some quality of life and something to do," summarizes Matthias Templin.
No time for rest
In addition to the unscheduled coronavirus activities, the museum defied the imposed hibernation by working on its exhibition areas to make the buildings fit for the time after coronavirus. Among other things, the workshop employees freed the museums' large aircraft, Concorde F-BVFB and Tupolev Tu-144, and the Boeing 747, which was set up at a height of almost 20 meters, from the effects of the weather.
At the same time, preparations for the reopening were underway. In addition to distancing and the installation of Plexiglas panes to prevent people from spitting, the museums worked on extensive measures. A tour concept will guide visitors through the exhibitions. "This is intended to prevent random wandering in the halls. This ensures the minimum distance is maintained and visitors feel comfortable," says Templin, explaining the plan. Queues at the ticket offices and entrances from the parking lot will be controlled by trained staff. In terms of hygiene and cleanliness, cleaning intervals will ensure disinfected door handles, handrails, etc. The possibility of cashless payment is also guaranteed in both museums.
Reopening
The Technik Museen Sinsheim Speyer will soon be coming back to life. While the adults go back to their youth, the youngsters can become captains, pilots and astronauts for a few hours. The special exhibition "Mythos Alfa Romeo" in Sinsheim will be extended until the beginning of January 2021.
And although normality will be a little longer in coming, the gastronomy will continue to offer take-away meals and cineastes will have to do without the popular IMAX cinemas, the Technik Museen Sinsheim Speyer are well prepared to present technology for fans of fans at the highest level as usual.
Further information about the museums and the protective measures taken can be found on the museum website.
