The scene of the press conference. (Photo by Xinhua reporter Li Xueqin)
On the morning of 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 of the Qing Palace, announcing the complete success and official conclusion of the restoration project of the Qing Palace "Tianlu Linlang" of the Qing Palace of the National Library that lasted for 8 years. Xiong Yuanming, director of the National Library of China and director of the National Center for the Conservation of Ancient Books, introduced the basic situation and significance of the project. Zhang Zhiqing, deputy director of the National Library of China and deputy director of the National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books, presided over the meeting. The responsible comrade of the Ancient Books Library of the National Library of China and relevant experts introduced the organization of the "Tianlu Linlang" restoration project, the training of talents of "teachers and apprentices", and the difficulties and solutions encountered in the restoration process.
"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 amount of damage to the collection, and nearly 60 of the 664 books have disappeared. 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. 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.
Zhu Zhenbin (front row, second from right) and Cui Zhibin (third from left in front row) are explaining. (Photo by Xinhua reporter Li Xueqin)
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. Participating experts believed that the restoration project of "Tianlu Linlang" exceeded the expected goal and was another important restoration project of precious ancient books after the restoration projects of the National Library of China, such as the "Dunhuang Testament" and the "Zhao Cheng Jinzang". Under the background of large restoration volume, high difficulty and complex situation, the team formulated a plan and carried out restoration according to the different situations of each collection, and achieved innovation and breakthrough on the basis of fully implementing the current restoration concept and principles, so as to achieve "learning from the ancient and not muddying the ancient, breaking the law without violating the law". This restoration project has achieved fruitful results in project management, restoration steps, restoration techniques, restoration materials, scientific research results, skill inheritance, technological innovation and other aspects, comprehensively, detailed and richly recorded the restoration process, and raised the restoration of ancient books of the National Library to a new level.
It is reported that the National Library (National Center for the Protection of Ancient Books) will hold the "Tianlu Linlang" restoration exhibition this year, publish relevant restoration results, and promote restoration experience and scientific research results.