An exhibition honoring the world of Harry Potter will arrive at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in 2022 with recreated magic and other special effects that will reportedly remain true to the book and film series. The exhibit will honor the 25th anniversary of the first title in the book series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, published by J.K. Rowling in June of 1997. The book detailed the life of young Harry Potter, raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who remained fearful the young boy would learn he was really a wizard. After Harry was summoned to attend a school for wizards, he discovered the truth about his birthright and was drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his destiny.
Since the publication of J.K. Rowling's first book, the story of the young boy wizard has subsequently been fleshed out over six tomes. The novels take a deep dive into the life of its main protagonist, Harry, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main theme of the series which runs throughout the books and films is Harry's struggle against Lord Voldemort, a wizard whose intentions run dark. He is thwarted by Harry in his pursuit of immortality and his intention to overthrow the Ministry of Magic and dominate all wizards and non-magical people, known as Muggles.
In the new exhibit, the films will be honored for their most iconic moments, characters, setting, and beasts, using immersive design and technology. The Franklin Institute will feature settings familiar to fans of the series. The Franklin Institute's official site explained the details of what attendees could expect.
"From the mysteries of Hogwarts castle to the antics of its mischievous yet brilliant students; from daring duels to dragons and Dark Arts; from glittering Gringotts to the magnificent Ministry of Magic, the exhibition will bring magic to life, connect visitors with the larger global community of fans of the Wizarding World, and reveal the artistry and craftsmanship behind the blockbuster films."
The introduction of the exhibit to honor the franchise after its debut a quarter-century ago ties together the aspects of the book and film series in a way that its longtime fans will appreciate. The Harry Potter series of books have been a phenomenon because of their imaginative storytelling which allows the reader to escape into an enormous and magical world where anything is possible. The exhibit will allow the imaginative world of Harry Potter to come to life in a way that fans may have never imagined was possible outside of visiting a Florida or California theme park devoted to the series. After its Philadelphia run, it will move to Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The Harry Potter series of books and films are still viably important to both children and adults. The books have collectively sold more than 500 million copies, and the final four novels set records for the fastest-selling books in history. This exhibit will allow fans their chance to for a moment, live the life of their beloved boy wizard and his friends. The chance to immerse oneself in a small way, in a world where anything you believe can happen will, taps into the fantasy that anything is possible and for Harry Potter fans, it is.
Source: The Franklin Institute