Vernissage: Insektenwissen. Historische Bücher und Präparate zur Insektenkunde

In the organizer's words:

To celebrate the opening of its new special exhibition, the UBL is hosting a reception followed by a tour. After a welcome by library director Dr. Anne Lipp and a word of welcome from Dr. Detlef Bernhard, curator Thomas Thibault Döring will complete the evening's program with his opening lecture.

The exhibition
May 8 to August 9, 2026 in the exhibition space of the Bibliotheca Albertina (Leipzig)
Mon.-Mi.: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Thu.-Sun.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Website: ub .uni-leipzig.de/insects
Free admission.

Insects and books have an ambivalent relationship. While magnificently colored insect books are among the special treasures of a library, feeding galleries in the books show that paperfish and beetles are also interested in historical literature.

The exhibition at Leipzig University Library provides exciting insights into the history of entomology and presents its valuable collection of historical entomological books. The focus is on insectological literature from the 18th century. At that time, interest in insects was growing by leaps and bounds; collecting beetles and butterflies became a real trend. The young entomology experienced a massive upswing, above all due to the dissemination of 'insect knowledge' in books.

In addition to the insect books, models and specimens from the Zoological Collection of the University of Leipzig are on display. In addition to questions about the presentation and organization of insects, the handling of unwanted insects in the library will also be discussed. And in keeping with the theme, the exhibition itself will undergo a metamorphosis and change its appearance over the course of the summer.