MiBACT acquires Umberto Eco Library and Archives: they become public property

The Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism has acquired the Library and Archive of Umberto Eco (Alessandria, 1932 - Milan, 2016): the process of acquisition and donation, which comes following an agreement between MiBACT and the heirs of the semiotician and writer (his wife Renata and children Carlotta and Stefano) stipulated in 2018, was concluded with the registration of the measure by the Court of Auditors. The remarkable heritage of the Library of Old Books, the Modern Library, and the Umberto Eco Archive thus becomes the cultural heritage of the state.

The modern library (about thirty thousand volumes) and the archive will be entrusted on loan for use to theAlma Mater of Bologna for ninety years, while the Library of ancient books, consisting of about 1,200 volumes and named “Bibliotheca semiologica curiosa, lunatica, magica et pneumatica,” formed by Umberto Eco in the course of his bibliophile activity, will be kept by the Braidense National Library in Milan. The state will ensure its preservation and enhancement and make the heritageaccessible to students and scholars. A scientific committee made up of five members, two of whom are appointed by the Eco Heirs and two by Mibact, will be in charge of establishing the methods of preservation also in order to guarantee the unity of digital consultation.

Pictured: Umberto Eco in his library.

MiBACT acquires Umberto Eco Library and Archives: they become public property

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