Magical exhibition in Jewish Museum: saw your child in half and learn tricks from Hans Klok

The Jewish Museum in Amsterdam is opening a new exhibition titled Abracadabra, which highlights the history of influential Jewish magicians and illusionists. The project began when performer Hans Klok acquired a collection of artifacts belonging to the world-famous Amsterdam-born magician Theo Bamberg, known professionally as Okito. Working alongside the museum, Klok expanded the scope to showcase the legacy of fifteen different Jewish performers who flourished in the early twentieth century. During that era, many professional guilds excluded Jewish individuals, leading them to gravitate toward the independent field of magic.

Visitors can view various historical items, including a straitjacket used by the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. The exhibition also features interactive displays for children, such as the opportunity to perform classic sawing-in-half tricks, alongside footage of Hans Klok’s career highlights. The exhibition, which honors these artistic traditions while providing an engaging experience for all ages, will remain open to the public until the end of March.