Page 32 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition
P. 32

A NEW JERUSALEM ICON

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY O

A “well of knowledge” for
the history and culture
of israel and the jewish
people, set within a
modern architectural gem

Discover the National Library                    The Stewart and Lynda Resnick Entrance Plaza. Photo: Aviad Bar Ness
                 of Israel (NLI), a venerated
                 133-year-old institution, and   Museum, and the Supreme Court of Israel,           and Michal Rovner. And don't miss Micha
                 Jerusalem’s newest must-see     this architectural masterpiece is a beacon of      Ullman’s striking Letters of Light sculpture
                 destination. The Library is a   national pride.                                    that welcomes visitors at the entrance to the
dynamic hub of culture and history that                                                             Library campus.
captures the essence of Jewish heritage and      The magnificent permanent exhibition
the rich diversity of Israel, offering a unique  gallery showcases a selection of rare books,       Letters of Light is anchored in the deep and
journey through the past and present of          ancient manuscripts, historical posters,           ancient layers of Jewish tradition and the
the Jewish people, Israel, and the broader       and personal archives of outstanding               Hebrew language, while also drawing on
region.                                          historical, cultural, and literary figures. The    other cultures and on the essence of the
                                                 permanent exhibition, "A Treasury of Words,"       invention of the alphabet. Letters of Light
You are invited to explore NLI’s five core       demonstrates how text has the power to             centers on the letters of the Hebrew alphabet
collections: Israel, Judaica, Islam & the        change the world, formulate ideas and              hewn in stone, and the Hebrew "Alef," the
Middle East, Humanities, and Music. The          move them forward, and define, sometimes           Latin "A," and Arabic "Alif" projected through
Library boasts the world’s largest collections   even create, a place, community, and nation,       openings into an underground chamber,
of Judaica, Jewish and Israeli music, and        as well as express the spirit and talent of        with light and shade responding to the ever-
historical maps of Jerusalem and the Holy        thinkers, writers, and key cultural figures.       changing angle of the sun’s rays. It dialogues
Land, alongside exceptional collections of                                                          with another renowned Ullman installation,
manuscripts, rare books, photographs, and        The rotating exhibition gallery hosts a range      the Bibliotek memorial on Bebelplatz square
much more.                                       of special exhibitions that change every few       in Berlin, where the Nazi book burnings
                                                 months. Currently on display through June          began in 1933.
Other rare treasures range from texts            2025 is “Kafka: Metamorphosis of an Author,”
handwritten by personages like Maimonides        presenting an exceptional collection of            Another must-see is the Main Automated
and Sir Isaac Newton to beautifully preserved    original Kafka manuscripts, Hebrew exercise        Stacks, an“infinite library”located five stories
Islamic manuscripts dating back to the ninth     books, drawings, letters, and papers.              underground that safeguards treasures
century. Dive into the personal archives of                                                         valuable to Israel and Jewish people
luminaries like Martin Buber, Franz Kafka,       Following the Kafka show will be an                worldwide. This robotic warehouse employs
Natan Sharansky, and Naomi Shemer.               exhibition showcasing the beauty and variety       a specialized oxygen reduction system that
                                                 of the flora of the land of Israel, from antique   preventatively inhibits fire, preserving over
A tour of the National Library of Israel is      albums of pressed flowers sold as souvenirs        four million books, archives, and other items
more than just a visit; it's an experience.      for travelers on a pilgrimage to the Holy          in optimal conditions for the enrichment of
Wander through the stunning new building         Land, to documentation of the history and          future generations.
that now joins the list of Jerusalem’s most      development of nature conservation and
iconic landmarks. Designed by award-             preservation in modern-day Israel.                 The National Library of Israel is also a hub of
winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, and                                                          activity. There are fascinating lectures at the
positioned adjacent to the Knesset, Israel       As you explore the Library, you'll also encounter  seminar center (including in English), plus
                                                 significant contemporary artworks, including       events such as a summer concert series and
                                                 pieces by leading artists like Edmund de Waal      an annual documentary film festival.

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