22d November 2008
He brought it to the incredible number of 175 films – and yet always remained a little bit in the shadow of his colleagues Chaplin & Keaton. Harold Lloyd, born in 1893 in Nebraska, started to make films in 1913. He soon created the mummy’s boy figure, who constantly surprises everybody – even himself – by triumphing over the most absurd situations with the fierce heart of a lion. ”Safety Last“, in which Lloyd has high ambitions as a country hillbilly in the city and risks his neck for it, is regarded as a silent film icon. His daredevil acrobatic scenes on the huge clock of a skyscraper (which are not done by a double, by the way), are among the most renowned stunt scenes of film history.

Permanent exhibition
Einstein lived in Caputh near Potsdam with his wife from 1929 till autumn 1932. While the couple spent a happy time there, many friends came from all over the world to visit them. The wooden house, built in 1929 by the architect Konrad Wachsmann, is Einstein's only preserved residence in Germany. Its history is illustrated by numerous documents, photos and models. A video offers a virtual tour through the restored "Sommerhaus" (cottage). Further, the work of Albert Einstein during his time in Berlin and Konrad Wachsmanns's path of life are recounted. A recording lets you hear the original sound of Einstein's voice with his Swabian accent. The exhibition "Einsteins Sommer-Idyll in Caputh" in the community centre offers something for every age group.

December 6th
Have you ever seen several Father Christmases in one place at Christmas? Apart from about 70 carriages that are decorated on a Christmas and fairy-tale theme, more than 1,000 participants from near and far are also involved. You have quite certainly not seen so many Father Christmases before.

December 7th
Joan Orleans personifies authentic Gospel singing of black America like no other person in Europe with her warm and sonorous voice. The spiritual music of the Afro-American population truly runs in her blood. On 7th December, you can experience the Christmas story in Neuhardenberg with Joan Orleans, her band and a gospel choir – related with dateless classics of the music genre and also with well-known Christmas songs that have been transformed into gospel music.

December 12th
Peter Tchaikovsky’s ”Nutcracker“ has been part of the Advent period for generations of theatre visitors. The Christmas story, which is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s ”Nussknacker und Mausekönig“ (Nutcracker and Mouse King), tells the story of little Mary, who is offered a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, which transforms into a prince and invites her on a journey to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Russian ballet academy Perm – one of Russia’s most renowned ballet schools – enchants the audience with its high art.

December 19th
Potsdam’s jungle landscape invites not only people in love, but also anyone who wishes to experience the inimitable nocturnal aura of this little paradise. Subdued light and candlelight provide the setting for a romantic evening under the treetops of palm trees. With a rose as a gift and a glass of sparkling wine, you will be stylishly welcomed in the room with a fireplace. Then, visitors stroll through the rain forest on paths illuminated by candlelight and experience the incomparable atmosphere of a tropical night. Let yourself be enchanted by the sounds, the fragrances and colours of the exotic primeval forest and enjoy this unique atmosphere in agreeable temperatures of 23°C to 28°C.

December 18th
With the programme "The Very Best of Swing" Wil Salden and his top ensemble, consisting of superior instrumentalists and soloists, would like to recapture the history of Swing from 1940 to the 1970's/1980's. Even Glenn Miller would have included this music in his repertoire and played it, if he had survived the flight from London to Paris in 1944.