On January 7, the National Library of China held a press conference on the major achievements of the "Tianlu Linlang" restoration project of the Qing Palace, announcing the complete success and official conclusion of the restoration project of the "Tianlu Linlang" of the Qing Palace of the National Library of China, which lasted for 8 years. This is the largest special restoration action for precious ancient books of the national map since the implementation of the "Chinese Ancient Books Protection Plan" in 2007, and has achieved significant results.
Xiong Yuanming, director of the National Library of China and director of the National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books, introduced the basic situation and significance of the "Tianlu Linlang" restoration project. "Tianlu Linlang" is an important collection of books made by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty who selected the old books of the Song, Jin, Yuan and Ming editions in the collections of the imperial palace, and placed them in the Zhaoren Hall. Although it was cherished by the Qing Palace, from its establishment until the 1950s, it experienced several ups and downs and frequent tribulations. During this period, fire, theft, soldiers, and beetles caused a large number of losses in the collection, and nearly 60 of the 664 books have disappeared, and more than 600 surviving parts are mainly stored in mainland China and Taiwan. At present, the National Library of China has 279 "Tianlu Linlang", of which the Song and Yuan engravings account for a relatively large proportion, and most of the most precious ancient books in the "Later Edition of the Tianlu Linlang Bibliography" are preserved. These ancient books are not only engraved for a long time, but some are still orphaned and precious.
In June 2013, the National Library of Ancient Books completed the cataloguing of the uneducated books of "Tianlu Linlang" and conducted a damage investigation. The survey results show that ten percent of the books in this batch are first-degree damage and urgently need rescue repair. The National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books took this opportunity to plan to carry out the "Tianlu Linlang" restoration project and complete the restoration of these precious ancient books in a few years. Subsequently, relevant experts in the field of ancient book restoration were invited to demonstrate the restoration plan and work plan of "Tianlu Linliang". Experts believe that the development of this project is of great significance to the restoration of ancient books, talent training and scientific research, and unanimously adopted the restoration plan and recommended that relevant work be carried out as soon as possible. With the support of the "Chinese Ancient Books Protection Program", the Restoration Project of the National Library of China's "Tianlu Linlang" in the Qing Palace was officially launched, with Zhu Zhenbin, senior restorer of the National Library of Ancient Books, as the chief expert, leading Cui Zhibin, the backbone of the restoration of ancient books of the National Library, to undertake the restoration work.
According to Zhu Zhenbin, the National Library's collection of "Tianlu Linlang" has a relatively high proportion of damage, accounting for more than half. This is related to the fact that the above-mentioned national treasures have been torn around and improperly preserved. Fragments affect the cataloguing, which is not conducive to reading and research; if it is not repaired in time, the damage will only aggravate and affect survival. Although the rare book warehouse already has good constant temperature and humidity conditions, the mold carried in the damaged books and paper diseases such as flocculation and adhesion will become more serious over time.
In the process of restoration, the National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books not only provided part of the funds for the restoration project, but also carried out the study on the theme of "Tianlu Linlang" special restoration when holding the "Ninth National Ancient Book Restoration Technology and Work Management Seminar", and selected 12 backbones of the ancient book restoration business from Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi and other places who had outstanding performance in the front-line positions of ancient book restoration to receive training, exchange skills, participate in the restoration of "Tianlu Linlang", share the new harvest of restoration with peers, and not only innovate the training mode. It has also driven the development of the national ancient book restoration industry and played an exemplary role in the cultivation of ancient book restoration talents nationwide.
After more than 8 years of efforts, all the damaged ancient books involved in the project have been repaired and a series of scientific research achievements have been achieved. In December 2021, the Office of the National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books organized an expert acceptance meeting, and experts gave high praise to the results of the restoration project. Experts attending the meeting believed that the restoration project of "Tianlu Linlang" exceeded the expected goal and was another important and precious ancient book restoration project of the National Library of China after the restoration projects such as "Dunhuang Testament" and "Zhao Cheng Jinzang". The project restoration volume is large, difficult, complex situation, the team for each collection of different situations to develop a plan, carry out restoration, in the full implementation of the current restoration concept and principles on the basis of the realization of innovation and breakthrough, so that "learning the ancient is not mud, breaking the law does not violate the law"; there are many people involved in the restoration, led by experienced senior restoration experts, young restorers to participate together, which is of great significance to the construction of the national library in the new era of ancient book restoration talent echelon It has raised the restoration of ancient books in the National Library to a new level, and also provided useful experience and materials for the scientific and standardized development of large-scale ancient book restoration projects since then, which is of landmark significance.
It is reported that in 2022, in order to achieve the national "14th Five-Year Plan" and the 2035 long-term goal outline on "strengthening the protection and research and utilization of cultural relics and ancient books", the National Library of China (National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books) will hold a "Tianlu Linlang" restoration exhibition, publish relevant restoration results, and promote restoration experience and scientific research results. At the same time, we will do a good job in reviewing the progress of the work of the national ancient book restoration center and the declaration of the second batch of national ancient book restoration centers, start the follow-up ancient book restoration project in a timely manner, continue to promote the work of the national ancient book restoration technology transmission center and the attached study center, and make new contributions to inheriting and carrying forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture, enhancing the awareness of the protection of ancient books in the whole society, and telling Chinese stories well.
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Wang Yan
Photo / Beijing Youth Daily reporter Wang Xiaoxi