At the celebratory conference marking the 150th anniversary of the library palace, the photo exhibition by Márta Csikós opened in the community space of the ELTE University Library and Archives entitled “Heritage and Presence – People and Memory in a 150-Year-Old Space,” which focuses on the building and the staff whose daily work ensures the library’s operations.
The photographs in the exhibition both document and tell a story. They reveal the quiet moments of work, the deep concentration, the relationship between people and space, and the unique atmosphere that has existed within these walls for 150 years. Here, the built heritage appears not merely as a backdrop, but as a witness, preserving the memory of our predecessors while also providing a framework for the daily activities of those who still consider serving knowledge their calling.
The photographs sensitively reveal a world that often remains hidden. They reveal the responsible care for books and documents, as well as the sense of vocation that has characterised library staff for generations – those who, day after day, ensure that the knowledge accumulated over the centuries remains accessible to future generations. The photographs bring to light the quiet service without which the preservation of cultural heritage and the transmission of knowledge would not be possible.
The exhibition pays tribute to the 150-year-old library building, while also honoring all those who, through their work, knowledge, expertise, and dedication, have helped ensure that the ELTE University Library and Archives continues to serve as a vibrant and inspiring institution for our community. The images on display encourage visitors not only to admire the beauty of the building but also to turn their attention to the library’s staff, who are not merely participants but the ones who continue to write the story: those who, through their dedicated work, enrich the history of this 150-year-old institution with new chapters time and again.
All visitors are welcome!
