Discover 'Die polyglotten Bäume': A Unique Exhibition of Multilingual Children's Art in Vienna

An exhibition at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna showcasing collages created by schoolchildren. The children explored the garden and translated the names of discovered trees into the many languages spoken in their diverse classroom.

This exhibition, titled 'Die polyglotten Bäume' (The Polyglot Trees), features creative works by the 3rd-grade class of Campus Landstraße. As part of a project funded by the City of Vienna (MA 17), the schoolchildren explored the Botanical Garden, identifying trees and translating their names into the diverse languages spoken within their classroom, including Arabic, English, French, Croatian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Thai, Turkish, and Hungarian. These vibrant collages reflect the children's multilingual backgrounds and the educational focus of their school on language acquisition and multicultural learning. The project, led by Marisol Ayala of the Campfire Collective association and co-designed by artist Lym Moreno, aimed to strengthen the local educational district. The Botanical Garden, as an external learning site of the University of Vienna, plays a vital role in offering urban nature experiences and knowledge about plants from around the world. The children's artworks demonstrate how this botanical knowledge can be creatively expressed, highlighting the garden's importance as a place for both environmental education and artistic exploration.

The exhibition is displayed along the main avenue of the Botanical Garden. The opening event on November 23rd, 2018, at 3 PM, will include a welcome by Garden Director Prof. Dr. Michael Kiehn, and guests are welcome. Refreshments and activities are provided for the opening.