Rakiya A. Muhammad
Lindau Nobel has unveiled a new hub in Berlin, the German Capital, celebrating two milestones: 75 years of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and a quarter-century of the inspiring “Nobel Heroes” project.
Nestled at Markgrafenstraße 37 on Gendarmenmarkt, Lindau Nobel Berlin now stands as a vibrant showcase for “Nobel Heroes,” the remarkable portrait series by photographer Peter Badge, who has journeyed across the globe to capture more than 500 Nobel laureates since 2000.
More than one hundred distinguished guests from the worlds of politics, science, culture, and society gathered for the Monday, May 18, opening.
In her welcoming remarks, Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, observed that the “Nobel Heroes” portraits reveal, in a striking way, that Nobel Laureates are people just like us—relatable individuals who bring science within our reach.
Prof. Dr Jürgen Kluge, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, underscored the significance of establishing a new science hub in Berlin.
“With ‘Lindau Nobel’, we are creating a place that brings the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings into the public eye in the German capital – through Peter Badge’s extraordinary portraits, which show who these individuals are that advance science,” he highlighted.
“At the same time, this becomes a place of encounter: A venue where Nobel Laureates visiting Berlin can engage with fellow scientists as well as with journalists.”
According to the organisers, “Nobel Heroes” is a long-term portrait project by photographer Peter Badge, initiated in 2000 on behalf of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.
“Since then, Badge has visited and photographed more than 500 living Nobel laureates worldwide. The project is co-funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation,” they stated.
“Peter Badge has created portraits of Nobel laureates, presenting them not as distant figures of exceptional intellect, but as human beings – revealing warmth, vulnerability and a sense of mystery. Each image is the result of a personal encounter, often in the laboratories, offices or homes of the Laureates, somewhere around the globe.”
With its new permanent home in Berlin, the collection finally enjoys the distinguished setting it has long merited.
The exhibition also signals the start of celebrations for the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. From 28 June to 3 July 2026, around 70 Nobel laureates and more than 600 Young Scientists from across the globe will gather at Lake Constance.
In honour of the anniversary, the event will once again be interdisciplinary, bringing together Laureates from physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, economic sciences, and peace.
Since 1951, the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings have united Nobel Laureates with the brightest Young Scientists from around the globe, sparking a week of lively, intergenerational exchange. To date, over 36,000 Young Scientists representing more than 100 countries have taken part in this inspiring tradition.
