An exhibition by the Department of Archival and Library Science at the University of Public Service in Bavaria, curated by Amelie Knittel On display from February 10 to March 7, 2026, at the Bavarian Main State Archives. The reuse of used items is not a modern phenomenon: people have been recycling and upcycling since ancient times. In the 17th century, parchment was reused for envelopes, early printed materials were used as book spines, and after World War II, people often wrote on the back of already printed paper. The exhibition takes visitors on a brief journey through the various ways in which parchment and paper were reused in an administrative context and the curiosities that arose as a result. Around 20 exhibits from the Bavarian Main State Archives and the Munich State Archives illustrate in particular the nature of the reprocessing, the circumstances surrounding this process, and the contents of the items that were given a second life. On display from February 10 to March 7, 2026, in the main building of the Bavarian Main State Archives, 1st floor, Schönfeldstraße 5, 80539 Munich. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Closed on Shrove Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Special opening for Archives Day on Saturday, March 7, 2026.   Admission is free.   Click here for the exhibition catalog. Guided tours for groups can be arranged at oeffentlichkeitsarbeit@gda.bayern.de.   Fig.: Exhibition p

An exhibition at the Landshut State Archives, curated by Johanna Girschick, on display from February 10 to April 10, 2026 Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826) was a Bavarian optician, inventor, and entrepreneur whose achievements in research are still relevant today. Born in Lower Bavaria, Fraunhofer combined exact science with application-oriented practice and discovered the Fraunhofer lines named after him. He was a member of several prestigious research institutions and enjoyed national and European renown. Honors from politics, society, and science attest to his special status. Streets in several German cities, buildings, stamps, an ICE train, and a research institution bear Fraunhofer's name. The exhibition at the Landshut State Archives marking the 200th anniversary of his death aims to raise awareness of Joseph von Fraunhofer in his home region of Lower Bavaria. It deals with the city of Straubing's approach to Fraunhofer in terms of historical memory and the 80-year struggle to erect a monument in his hometown. It becomes clear that Fraunhofer is viewed positively throughout history and in the present day. The approximately 30 exhibits come mainly from the Straubing City Archives. They are supplemented by items from the Bavarian Main State Archives and the archives of the Deutsches Museum in Munich, which holds Fraunhofer's estate. Reproductions are on display. The exhibition was developed as part of the 2021/2024 preparatory service training program for entr

Every two years, the Association of German Archivists (VdA) calls for a nationwide “Archives Day.” Most events take place on the weekend of March 7-8, but some take place earlier. This year, Archives Day will focus on the theme of “Old homeland – new homeland,” but many other topics will also be covered. Among Bavaria's state archives, the Amberg State Archives (presentation already on March 4), the Bavarian Main State Archives, and the Coburg, Landshut, and Munich State Archives will be participating with events on Saturday, March 7. The Augsburg State Archives will take part in “Augsburg open” from May 7 to 10, 2026, and the Bamberg State Archives will hold an open house on June 12. Further information can be found on the Munich archives' joint blog, “Archive in München.”   The detailed program for Archives Day at the Bavarian State Archives can be found in the flyer and the accompanying poster. An overview of all participating Munich archives and their programs can be found in the flyer “What? Archives?”   Please note: Some events have individual dates or require advance registration.   Fig. 1: Exhibition poster for Archives Day; design: Benjamin, Gerum, GDA. Fig. 2: Flyer for “13th Archives Day”; design: Nicole Edwards, GDA. Fig. 3: Flyer “What? Archive?” Participating Munich archives and their program; photo and design: Katharina Kuhlmann, Alfred Kün