CultureMinister Demeter Andras Istvan said on Thursday during an anniversary event celebrating 70 years since the re-establishment of the National Library of Romania, which is the heart of the written memory of the national culture.
"Libraries, by their nature, democratise access to knowledge and understanding. They defend the identity of expression and propagate the cultural heritage of humanity. They are also places of hope, because where memory is stored, the future is prepared. The National Library is undoubtedly the heart of the written memory of national culture. For seven decades, it has witnessed and acted in the great transformations of our society. He protected and passed on everything that Romanian thinking produced in writing. It preserved the values of universal literature, preserved culture from all over the planet and was a stage on which the role of spiritual enrichment was played uninterruptedly," Demeter said in the keynote speech.
He drew attention to the fact that in today's world, marked by "the risks of forgetfulness and misinformation," the role of the National Library is becoming increasingly important, because "it is not only a space for preservation, but also a space for innovation, dialogue and intellectual stimulation."
"The National Library must remain a national landmark, to open its collections to the general public, to adapt its services to the needs of researchers, but especially to the expectations of the younger generations, to collaborate closely with public libraries, schools, universities, to be as close as possible to the people, more relevant, more visible, to become again the meeting space and creative inspiration, the safe space where the tumult and turmoil of everyday life are silent for a while and give way to a healing music: knowledge. I wish the entire team, collaborators and all those who support this institution through their visits, first of all, strength, work, enthusiasm and courage in continuing a mission that is not easy, but so beautiful."
At the end of his speech, Demeter thanked the former Minister of Culture Adrian Iorgulescu and the former manager of the library Elena Tirziman for the fact that, for 15 years, there has been a "housing symbiosis" between the National Library and the Ministry of Culture.
The National Library of Romania on Thursday organised an anniversary event dedicated to the celebration of 70 years since its re-establishment.
The host of the meeting was the interim general director of the National Library of Romania, Bogdan Gheorghiu.
The official opening of the event was followed by the opening of a special documentary exhibition highlighting the historical path, role and mission of the National Library in the Romanian cultural landscape, entitled "Breviary 70. A History of the National Library of Romania."
The exhibition presents, in chronological order, the most important events in the life of the library, as well as personalities and projects of the organisation, and difficulties of the successive relocations of the National Library of Romania. The star of the exhibition is a Codex Aureus facsimile from the Batthyaneum Library, the Alba Iulia branch of the National Library.
The last part was dedicated to professionals, librarians, in a round table format with the theme "Libraries in dialogue", together with professionals from partner organisations.
Comentează