When does the exhibition begin?

The opening is on 22.09.2026 at 19:30 in the Ernst-Abbe-Library Jena.

How long will the exhibition be on display?

The exhibition will be accessible for three weeks during the opening hours of the Ernst-Abbe-Library.

Is there an admission fee to visit?

No, the exhibition is free of charge. The tours with Dr. Dietmar Ebert are also free.

Are there guided tours through the exhibition?

Yes, free guided tours are available on 30.09., 07.10., 14.10., and 21.10. each at 17:00.

Is the Ernst-Abbe-Library wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Ernst-Abbe-Library at Engelplatz 2 is wheelchair accessible.

Where is the exhibition located?

In the Ernst-Abbe-Library Jena, Engelplatz 2, 07743 Jena.

Twelve Perspectives on Eduard Rosenthal Renew and Intensify Jena's History

Name: Exhibition Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Perspectives on His Life
Start: 2026-09-22T21:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-21T19:00:00+02:00
Location: Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei Jena

Rediscovering Eduard Rosenthal: An Exhibition about Memory, Democracy, and Jena City History

The traveling exhibition Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Perspectives on His Life focuses on a formative personality in Jena's history. In the Ernst-Abbe-Library, visitors encounter a multifaceted life portrait: a legal scholar, co-founder of the historical reading hall association, culturally engaged citizen of the city, and shaper of democratic Thuringia.

Twelve panels, twelve perspectives on an extraordinary life

The exhibition works with twelve roll-ups that explore Rosenthal's actions from different angles. This creates not a dry commemorative text, but a vivid portrait of a man whose thinking connected science, culture, and civic spirit. It is precisely this curatorial form that invites a close examination of the works in a figurative sense: not individual events dominate, but connections, attitudes, and traces in urban society.

Between Legal History, Cultural Promotion, and Citizen Ideal

Eduard Rosenthal, 1853 to 1926, was considered the father of the Thuringian state constitution and an engaged citizen of Jena. The exhibition highlights his role as a legal scholar as well as his work for cultural education and social responsibility. Particularly impressive is the thought that Rosenthal not only shaped institutions but also co-founded a place of open knowledge with the reading hall association, which continues to have an impact today.

An art experience in the library space

The exhibition atmosphere in the Ernst-Abbe-Library combines education, public engagement, and calm concentration. Between bookshelves and reading rooms, a place of aesthetic experience emerges, where history does not remain distanced but speaks to the present. The presentation is suitable for anyone wishing to experience cultural education, city history, and democratic memory as interconnected themes.

Guided Tours and In-depth Contextualization

Dr. Dietmar Ebert will guide visitors through the exhibition on several dates free of charge, thus providing additional access to Rosenthal's biography and influence. This accompaniment makes the visit particularly valuable, as historical contexts, institutional developments, and Jena's cultural tradition are expertly explained. Those who visit the exhibition gain not only information but also a well-founded placement in the history of the city and Thuringia.

Conclusion: A Visit that Connects Knowledge, Attitudes, and City History

Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Perspectives on His Life is an exhibition for everyone seeking historical depth and cultural relevance. It shows how deeply individual engagement can shape a city and makes memory an experience of a lively, public process. A visit to the Ernst-Abbe-Library is definitely worthwhile.