Kafka exhibition in Jerusalem opens doors to the author's inner world

Three long corridors, which can be walked through at random, will allow visitors to the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem, from December 4, to immerse themselves in the most intimate universe of the Jewish writer born in the Czech Republic.

More than 80 pieces that were never exhibited and that Israel recovered in 2019 after an arduous legal process will be on display in this exhibition, including his Hebrew notebooks; drawings; his last original will; the manuscript of Kafka's “Letter to his Father”; first editions and drafts never before presented to the public.

Stefan Litt, curator of the exhibition, called “Kafka: Metamorphosis of an Author,” explained that his work is at the center of the exhibition, his connection to Judaism is in the right or back aisle, as he defines it, and his intimate relationships are in the left aisle.

With this exhibition, the National Library joined the three major international institutions with important collections of Kafka manuscripts, along with the Oxford Library and the German Literary Archive in Marbach, which have also held exhibitions in the framework of the author's centenary.

It also explores new approaches to his life and work, highlighting themes and connections that marked his emotional and intellectual development, while also informing his writing.

“I want to reintroduce Kafka to a wider audience to help people understand who this Frank Kafka park was. Many, many people have heard the name Kafka. Many know what “Kafkaism” means, but I think there are not many of our colleagues today who are entirely confident in explaining who Kafka was and what his role was for himself, for his friends, in his private life and in his literature,” Litt added.

These include the writer's little-discussed connection with the Jewish religion, his ties with his family, friends and partners, and his dream of moving to the Land of Israel (then under British Mandate rule) to live in Tel Aviv before his death.

The life of the Czech author is divided into eight sections in this exhibition, which are made up of audiovisual elements, including a recorded interview with his best friend Max Brod, who saved most of Kafka's manuscripts.

This exhibition highlights the fact that Kafka's work and life continue to transform before the eyes of the world, as its title suggests. Aurora and EFE