Eduard Rosenthal at the Ernst-Abbe-Library: Jena's History from Twelve Perspectives
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Twelve Views on Eduard Rosenthal: A Jena Life Between Education, Law, and Civil Society
The exhibition “Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Views on His Life” invites visitors to a historical examination of a special kind at the Ernst-Abbe-Library Jena. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Eduard Rosenthal's death, the traveling exhibition unfolds a multifaceted portrait of the lawyer, liberal citizen, and committed promoter of Jena's educational landscape.
Biography as Exhibition Space
Twelve roll-ups illuminate different facets of Rosenthal's life and work. The presentation connects biography, city history, and cultural education. At its core is a personality whose commitment extended far beyond the legal profession and profoundly shaped the development of Jena.
A Pioneer of Public Education
Eduard Rosenthal was one of the co-founders of the historical reading room association. From 1899 until his death in 1926, he served as the chairman of the association. Thus, the exhibition refers to the history of free access to knowledge and the importance of libraries as open places for encounters, self-education, and democratic public life.
Twelve Perspectives, a Defining Lifework
The curatorial structure of the exhibition works with deliberately set perspectives. Each panel adds another historical, social, or personal dimension to the overall picture. This creates a concentrated exhibition atmosphere in which individual life stations connect to form a panorama of Jena's cultural and educational history.
Guided Tour with Dr. Dietmar Ebert
A deeper contextualization is offered by Dr. Dietmar Ebert through free guided tours of the exhibition. The tour dates on October 7, 14, and 21, 2026, begin at 5 p.m. They provide additional access to historical contexts and turn the exhibition into a vivid artistic experience in the name of cultural memory.
A Place Between Library and Exhibition
The Ernst-Abbe-Library links the presentation with its own self-understanding as an educational and cultural center. Among books, media, and public life, a special spatial effect develops: The exhibition does not confront visitors as a closed museum space, but as a living impulse to engage with history, responsibility, and participation.
Conclusion: Experience Jena's History Directly
“Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Views on His Life” imparts historical orientation, biographical closeness, and cultural education in a compact form. Those who wish to better understand Jena's development, the history of the reading room association, and the significance of public knowledge spaces will find an stimulating aesthetic experience here. A visit to the Ernst-Abbe-Library is particularly worthwhile as part of one of the free guided tours.
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