Berlin State Library opens exhibition to mark 350th anniversary
Press release from 03/03/2011
To mark its 350th anniversary, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin is opening the special exhibition "A library makes history. 350 years of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin". For ten weeks, it will be presenting top items from its collections at nine stations.
Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, said on the occasion of the anniversary: "The Berlin State Library is one of the main pillars of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation: As the largest academic universal library in the German-speaking world, it is an academic institution that is both committed to providing a service for researchers and conducts its own research, but with its outstanding special collections it is also a "treasure trove" for some of Germany's most important written cultural assets, such as Ludwig van Beethoven's ninth symphony or an extremely splendid "Gutenberg Bible".
Barbara Schneider-Kempf, Director General of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz, emphasises: "In the 350 years since it was founded, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin has always reflected German history like no other institution of its kind. It rose to become one of the leading libraries in the world, became a strong partner of the sciences and collected the most important testimonies of human creativity, such as Beethoven's 9th Symphony, five of Mozart's six master operas, the largest collection of surviving autographs by Bach, important oriental and occidental manuscripts, rare prints such as the magnificent copy of the Gutenberg Bible, estates of important personalities and much more. We are constantly adding to our large holdings from current national and international book production, whether printed or electronic, and offer research-supporting services at a scholarly level. The consequences of the division of Germany have largely been overcome in library operations, and in the foreseeable future our locations will also be prepared in such a way that we will be able to offer the best conditions for research well into the 21st century. The wealth of this library is the wealth of all the citizens of our country - everyone can and should be proud of this and of the international standing of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin."
The Berlin State Library is one of the five institutions of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which was founded in 1957 to preserve, maintain and supplement the collections of the Prussian state, which were scattered after the Second World War and the dissolution of Prussia, and to make them accessible to the public. The other institutions are: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut, Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz and Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung.
Exhibition "A library makes history. 350 Years of the Berlin State Library"
4 March - 19 June 2011
daily 10 am - 6 pm
Deutsches Historisches Museum/Zeughaus
Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin
Admission to the permanent exhibition of the DHM: €6