Does your book come back to life after death? : An investigation into the resurrection of medieval manuscripts and incunabula through live interpretation and emotional performance in the post-print era.

A paradigm shift is producing alarming symptoms. As readers turn to ebooks the book as we know it is dead. Hence, library exhibits of ancient sacred texts, early printing, literary, historical and scientific works from over the centuries remain mere decoration either stored in the mass grave of closed stacks or displayed in showcases as dusty fossils in rigor mortis. It doesn't have to be that way. Behind every unique rare book, there is an even greater dramatic story that makes for great theatre. By the example of Bernhard of Breydenbach’s Peregrinatio in Terram Sanctam (1483/4) we uncover the intangible cultural heritage (UNESCO) through (un)scripted historical character interpretation. The au-thentic embodiment of Breydenbach and the reconstruction of his memories which lie behind his work lead to understand what motivated him. The interpretation gives a voice to, and celebrates, the experiences of the author who is excluded from the grander narratives of conventional history. It enhances the visitor’s appreciation and understanding of the book itself. Hence, library exhibitions are not really about books, they are ultimately about the people who created or where affected by those books. Indeed, the book was declared dead and died, and rose again through performance.Glückler, Ingo R