Eduard Rosenthal in the Ernst-Abbe-Library: Jena's History from Twelve Perspectives
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Twelve Perspectives on Eduard Rosenthal in the Ernst-Abbe-Library
The exhibition "Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Views on His Life" invites visitors to rediscover a prominent figure in Jena's educational and cultural history. On the occasion of his 100th death anniversary, a documentary traveling exhibition was created, showcasing different facets of his life, his social engagement, and his impact across twelve roll-ups.
Biography, Memory Culture, and Public Education
Eduard Rosenthal worked as a lawyer, university lecturer, and cultural promoter. He is regarded as a significant figure in Jena's city history and as the father of the first democratic constitution of Thuringia. The exhibition contextualizes his biography within the political, social, and cultural developments of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Particular attention is devoted to Rosenthal's connection to the history of public reading culture. As a co-founder of the historical reading hall association, he led it from 1899 until his death in 1926. In the Ernst-Abbe-Library, this history gains immediate spatial resonance: The library becomes a place for reflecting on his work, recalling, and cultural education.
Twelve Roll-ups as a Visual Reading Book
The presentation created by Constanze Mann, Dr. Dietmar Ebert, and Peter Mühlfriedel combines historical documentation with clear, serial curation. Texts and images guide visitors step by step through Rosenthal's world. The exhibition does not use painting, sculpture, or installation in the classical sense but develops its aesthetic experience from the interplay of visual design, historical sources, and public library space.
The subdued atmosphere of the exhibition allows for concentrated reflection on the works. Each of the twelve stations offers a new perspective on responsibility, education, democratic culture, and civic engagement. This results in an informative art experience that connects historical facts with personal curiosity.
Cultural Education with Free Guided Tours
Dr. Dietmar Ebert provides an in-depth contextualization through free guided tours of the exhibition. The tours take place at 5 PM and explore Rosenthal's biography, his role in the reading hall association, and the cultural-historical significance of Jena’s reading culture. Dates include September 30 and October 7, 14, and 21, 2026.
The exhibition is accessible during the opening hours of the Ernst-Abbe-Library. It is aimed at historically, culturally, and socially interested visitors and also serves as a low-threshold offer for cultural education.
Conclusion: Experience Jena's History Directly
"Eduard Rosenthal – 12 Views on His Life" makes an important personality of Jena's educational and cultural history tangible in a compact and vivid form. Visitors can expect a concentrated aesthetic experience between historical documentation, memory culture, and a vibrant library space. Anyone wanting to understand how reading culture, public education, and civic engagement have shaped Jena should visit this exhibition live at the Ernst-Abbe-Library.
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