Media Release
Last Chance to See Ancient Manuscripts
5 June 2008
Time is running out to see some of the most extraordinary books ever to have visited Australia as the State Library of Victoria’s landmark exhibition The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated Manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand enters its final days. The exhibition must close on Sunday 15 June.
The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated Manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand is the Library’s first international exhibition and the first collaborative exhibition of manuscripts on this scale in Australia. It brings to Melbourne some 90 hand-made books from the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance, including the oldest European book to ever visit Australia.
Since opening on March 28, the exhibition has attracted more than 1000 visitors per day. An estimated 100,000 people will have visited the exhibition by the time it closes and the associated events and education programs have drawn combined audiences of more than 20,000. These programs included an international conference, concerts, lectures, forums, tours and a Medieval Faire Day. Each activity was designed to provide a deeper understanding of illuminated manuscripts and the times they were produced in.
CEO and State Librarian, Anne-Marie Schwirtlich is delighted by the success of the exhibition and encourages anyone planning to visit to do so soon.
'The Medieval Imagination has been hugely popular. It is unique and beautiful but sadly the exhibition must close soon. As we enter the final days we are expecting many visitors and to help ensure everyone is able to see the exhibition we have extended the opening hours. I do encourage you to see these remarkable books before the exhibition closes as it will not be shown anywhere else in the World'.
'I am sure that those who have seen the exhibition will have been enriched by it. I thank all the institutions, organisations and individuals who helped us to make it a reality.'
The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand
28 March–15 June 2008
State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Open 10am–5pm daily (to 9pm Thursdays)
Free entry
Find out more about the exhibition
Final Days Extended Opening Hours
Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June 10am–6pm
Thursday 12 June 10am–9pm
The State Library Victoria gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the lenders to the exhibition:
Cambridge
Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Syndics of the University Library, Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Master and Fellows of Corpus Christi College
New Zealand
Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Auckland City Libraries, Dunedin Public Libraries, John Kinder Theological Library, St John’s College, Auckland
Australia
New South Wales
State Library of New South Wales, University of Sydney Library, The Franciscan Friars - Province of the Holy Spirit
Australian Capital Territory
National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, The Classics Department at the Australian National University
South Australia
State Library of South Australia
Victoria
Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, National Gallery of Victoria, University of Melbourne, Baillieu Library
The Medieval Imagination is presented by
The State Library of Victoria Foundation and the State Government of Victoria
Major sponsors
Qantas, Palace Cinemas, Yarra Trams
Sponsors and supporters
City of Melbourne, J.C. Decaux, AAMI, K.W. Doggett Fine Paper, Click, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, Herald Sun, 3AW, The Sebel Melbourne, Citigate Melbourne, Reader’s Feast Bookstore, Swisse Vitamins, Metlink, Macmillian Publishers, V/Line, Avant Card, J.T. Reid Charitable Trust, Limelight Magazine
Media inquiries and image requests
Matthew van Hasselt
Media relations coordinator
State Library of Victoria
Ph: 03 8664 7263
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