Original editions of Franz Kafka in the National Library. Photo: Amy Shapiro
The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem is preparing to open the exhibition Kafka: Metamorphosis of the Author, which will run from 4 December 2023 to 30 June 2025. The exhibition is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death and will feature more than 80 original exhibits from the library’s archive, many of which will be shown to the public for the first time.
Who is Franz Kafka?
Franz Kafka was born in 1883 into an average German Jewish family in Prague. Today, he is considered one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century literature, known for his unique style that combines existentialism, realism, absurdity and surrealism.
Although the writer’s life was cut short by tuberculosis in 1924, his works, including The T rial and The Castle, have become an integral part of modern Western literature. The exhibition aims to reveal not only Kafka’s genius, but also the man behind his texts.
Exposition
The National Library of Israel is one of the three main holders of Kafka’s archives, along with the Oxford Library and the Marbach Archive in Germany. The exhibition will provide access to letters, photographs, manuscripts, postcards and other materials, including:
- the original manuscript of “Letter to My Father”;
- notebooks with notes in Hebrew;
- Kafka’s drawings;
- his last will and testament, in which he asked that his works be burned after his death;
- first editions of works and unpublished drafts.
Two halls for understanding Kafka
The first hall is dedicated to Kafka’s life: his family relationships, friendships, romantic relationships and ties to Judaism. The design of this part of the exhibition, designed by Hadas Ofrat, resembles a labyrinth, symbolising the author’s complex inner world.
Here, one can trace the path from the tense relationship with his father to his deep connection with his friend Max Brod, who saved Kafka’s works from destruction.
The second room tells the story of Kafka’s posthumous influence on literature, theatre, music, dance and other artistic fields, particularly in Israel. The key exhibit is a monumental structure inspired by The Castle, which houses archival documents related to Kafka’s publications.
The exhibition also includes new installations: a video work where people read the parable “Before the Law” in different languages, and illustrations by eight Israeli artists who redefine the concept of “Kafkaesque”.
Kafka, Judaism and Israel
A unique part of the exhibition explores Kafka’s relationship with Jewish identity and Zionism. Although he did not attend Jewish schools, in 1917 he began to learn Hebrew and even considered moving to Israel, which remained unrealised due to his illness.
Among the exhibits are the Blue Notebook, where Kafka made his notes in Hebrew, and materials about his communication with intellectuals such as Martin Buber.
Why is it worth seeing?
The exhibition is designed for both Kafka fans and those who are just discovering his work. It shows how the themes of alienation, identity and the fight against authoritarianism remain relevant to the modern world.
“Many people are afraid to read Kafka, thinking it’s too difficult, but this exhibition demonstrates his accessibility,” says co-curator Neta Assaf.
“We want visitors to leave not only with new questions, but also with a new understanding of Kafka,” adds curator Stefan Litt.
