National Reading Aloud Day

Information from the organisers

The Gotha Research Library at the University of Erfurt is taking part in National Reading Aloud Day. One reading session is aimed specifically at primary school-aged children. Alongside this, there is a reading session for adults.

This year’s National Reading Aloud Day has the theme ‘I’m reading aloud – are you?’ The event thrives on and is shaped by those who read aloud. Vanessa Günther, an employee at the Research Library, has put together a selection of exciting stories for children. She will be reading these aloud in a cosy atmosphere amongst the bookshelves. For adults, the programme features *Volksmährchen der Deutschen* (German Folk Tales) by Johann Karl August Musäus (1735–1787). Musäus drew on traditional fairy tales and legends and retold them with wit and irony. They were published from 1782 onwards by Carl Wilhelm Ettinger in Gotha. Boje Schmuhl, a volunteer with the Friends of the Gotha Research Library (Freundeskreis der Forschungsbibliothek Gotha e. V.), will read from the historic Gotha edition held in the collection of the Ducal Library.

The readings take place in a fitting setting: the library’s historic display rooms. Guests will also gain an insight into the collections and collecting practices at the Court of Gotha, as well as how the books are preserved and maintained.