Sweet temptation: Exhibition tells the art of pastry making in Dresden!

Sweet temptation: Exhibition tells the art of pastry making in Dresden!

On June 12, 2025, the exhibition “The Sweet Art – A Cultural History of Confectionery and Desserts” was ceremoniously opened in Dresden. The keynote speech by star chef Johann Lafer marks the start of a comprehensive event that deals with the development and meaning of sweet dishes over the centuries. TU Dresden reports that the exhibition will be on display in the book museum of the Saxon State Library - State and University Library (SLUB) until January 17, 2026. Admission is free and the exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Barbara Klepsch, the Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism, highlights the cultural relevance of desserts. The exhibition presents more than 50,000 objects from the German Culinary Archives, including rare cookbooks, historical menus and audiovisual media. SLUB Dresden highlights that these exhibits include incunabula, historical manuscripts and film recordings and tell the cultural history of the pastry industry from the Middle Ages to the present.

Themes and contents of the exhibition

The exhibition is divided into four chapters:

• Herkunft der Konditorei (Renaissance bis 1800)
• Ästhetische Entwicklung von 1800 bis heute
• Naturwissenschaftliche Erklärungen süßer Genüsse
• Industrielle Produktion und häusliche Herstellung

Particularly pronounced is the theme of the aesthetic development of sweet dishes, which are not only considered culinary delights but also a form of cultural expression. Today's ideas about confectionery have historical roots that are closely linked to social development. Tarts, ice cream and chocolates tell stories of culture, craftsmanship and changes over the centuries. The Pastry Museum explains that the exhibition also addresses the changes in the design of sweet dishes and the influence of industrialization and consumer behavior on confectionery.

Interactive elements and accompanying program

Innovative interactive elements, such as smelling stations and the opportunity to enjoy personal dessert sharing, are intended to enrich visitors' experience. An extensive accompanying program includes tours by curators, scientific lectures, poetry slam and dessert workshops. These activities are intended not only to entertain, but also to provide a deep insight into the facets of the art of pastry, which is diverse and complex.

The founding of the German Culinary Archives on October 10, 2022 aims to raise public awareness of the importance of culinary art and allows for an interdisciplinary exchange on the subject. The archive, which includes the largest collection of cookbooks and menus in German-speaking countries, is also working on a digital project to index the holdings in order to offer free access to the scientific and general public.

The journey through the history of the art of confectionery begins way back: it all began with the pompous wedding of Elector Max III. Josef, as is impressively described in Johann Lafer's lecture. These historical retrospectives show how sugar and the art of confectionery once held supreme social significance - a connection between pleasure and status that continues to this day.