LNB's collection contains rare volumes including first editions of Kant's works, which were published in Riga, Jelgava and Liepāja, and also notes of Kant's lectures made by 18th century students.
During the whole week from September 23 to 28, an international forum dedicated to the anniversary of Immanuel Kant is being held, during which a selection of the collection of the National Library of Latvia (LNB) will be on display on two floors (second and fifth).
LNB research manager Dr. philol. Paul Daija said: "We wanted to show these materials together to the library's readers and guests to give them the opportunity to travel through time and enter the world of books from the Enlightenment.
"These books have a fascination and a sense of presence - it is not only an opportunity to experience the magic of old books, but also to look into in those, including notes and underlinings in books, which allow us to discover the reaction of the first readers of Kant's works to his philosophy. But the most important thing is the intellectual adventure that lies ahead for anyone who will have the opportunity to see with his own eyes the books that shaped the revolution of thought in Enlightenment Europe."
It will also be possible to view modern studies on Kant in English, German, etc., which will be useful as a guide in reading his notoriously complex works. The Humanities and Social Sciences Isaiah Berlin Reading Room at LNB regularly adds to its collection.
You can read more about Kant's interesting connections to Rīga and what today is Latvia in this feature.
More details about the exhibition: https://www.lnb.lv/imanuela-kanta-jubilejas-gada-notiks-starptautisks-forums-prats-riga/
