From Cairo to the Gotha Research Library & Lumières via Gotha

In the first lecture, Dr Alba Fedeli (Herzog-Ernst Fellow) will speak about the history and significance of Koranic manuscripts from the 8th to 11th centuries. Under the title "From Cairo to the Gotha Research Library. The Journey and Significance of the Eighth- to Eleventh-Century Qur'anic Manuscripts", she will trace the paths taken by these valuable manuscripts and highlight their significance for research into the history of the transmission and collection of the Qur'an.

Dr Frank Nagel (visiting scholar) will then devote his lecture "Lumières über Gotha. Konturen einer höfischen Lesepoetik" will be devoted to the literary and cultural practices of reading at court in the early modern period. The focus will be on the role of reading and book culture in the context of courtly enlightenment and its significance for Gotha's collections and intellectual history.

The series of events will be led by Professor Dr Hiram Kümper.