Opened and read aloud: stories and fairy tales at Friedenstein Castle

This year’s National Reading Aloud Day has the theme “I’m reading aloud – are you?”. It thrives on and is shaped by those who read aloud. Vanessa Günther is an employee at the Gotha Research Library and has put together a selection of exciting stories for children. She will be reading them aloud in a cosy atmosphere amongst the bookshelves. For adults, the programme features “Volksmährchen der Deutschen” by Johann Karl August Musäus (1735–1787). Musäus drew on traditional German 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 Association, will read from the historic Gotha edition held in the Ducal Library’s collection.

The readings will 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.

Both readings begin at 11.00 am and last approximately one hour. The meeting point is the entrance to the Gotha Research Library on the first floor of Friedenstein Castle. Please register at veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.