- Honoring the Library Fire's Aftermath, Duchess Anna Amalia's Estate
Twenty Years Since: Honoring the Herzogin Anna Amalia Library Arson in Weimar
Twenty years following the notorious arson at the highly regarded Herzogin Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, a sequence of events is set to honor the past and look forward to the future. In conjunction with Kunstfest Weimar, Spanish artist Anna Talens will exhibit her piece "Ars Ignis. The Poetry of Ruin" in the Rococo Hall and the Study Center of the library, incorporating charred book remnants and coarse soot particles. The exhibition commences on Thursday, August 22nd, accompanied by dramatic readings.
On September 4th, academics will analyze the fire's origin and the preservation of damaged books. September 6th will feature workshops and lectures, including a project that will compile testimonials from eyewitnesses in video interviews, sharing their experiences and aspirations for the library's future. A dialogue between the present library director, Reinhard Laube, and the director at the time of the fire, Michael Knoche, is also scheduled.
The arson that transpired on September 2nd, 2004, was sparked by an electrical fault and resulted in the devastation of 50,000 books and 35 paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. Remarkably, 28,000 books survived undamaged, while approximately 118,000 underwent various degrees of fire and water damage. Many of these "soot-covered volumes" are being revitalized employing sophisticated restoration methods, aiming to restore 1.5 million pages.
In recognition of community involvement, the foundation underscores the crucial role of citizen participation, as citizens aided in salvaging books on the night of the fire and later contributed to the reconstruction of the building and collections.
Upon reflecting on the past two decades, library director Reinhard Laube stated, "The 2004 library fire in Weimar remains a historical milestone which has fundamentally altered our perception of libraries and cultural heritage." Thanks to advanced restoration techniques, previously lost books have now been revived and returned to the collections as "charred-edged volumes."
The Klassik Stiftung further draws attention to two MDR productions that commemorate the fire: the TV documentary "The Library Goes Up in Flames – 20 Years After the Weimar Tragedy" and the podcast "Liberated Pages. The Fire at the Herzogin Anna Amalia Library."
The arson at the Herzogin Anna Amalia Library in Weimar, which took place on September 2nd, 2004, was a significant event that widely affected the library and its collection. Twenty years later, Weimar will host various events to honor this tragic incident and look forward to the library's future, such as exhibitions, workshops, and academic analyses, showcasing the city's resilience and dedication to preserving its heritage.
