CSMC Receives Book Donation from the Late René Teijgeler

7 November 2023

Photo: CSMC

The internationally renowned researcher and advisor in the field of Critical Cultural Heritage, who passed away in February 2023, has bequeathed part of his large library to the CSMC, where the items are now being catalogued.

Drs René Teijgeler’s donation comprises a total of around 500 items. Among them are numerous rare books, journals, and old catalogues whose thematic focus is on the history of books and paper, especially of maritime Southeast Asia and India. The CSMC is now gratefully adding these volumes to its library. Some more general works on the history of Southeast Asia are expected to be added to the library of the Asia Africa Institute.

One of the focal points of Teijgeler’s work was the conservation of paper and other writing supports. The book donation also includes many of his own writings, including some of the expert opinions on the conservation of endangered collections of manuscript that he produced during his impressive career. Another part of the donation consists of Teijgeler’s reference library, in which he collected important essays on the many topics of his academic interest.

In addition, Teijgeler also donated a collection of Southeast Asian types of paper that he collected during his numerous travels in the region. In December 2021, the Centre had already received many objects from his collection of special written artefacts, including for example Batak manuscripts. A selection of these objects can be found in our image gallery.

René Teijgeler began his career in the early 1970s. Already as a student, he worked as a conservator at the National Library of the Netherlands. He later initiated numerous projects for the preservation of cultural heritage, initially primarily in Asia. Among many other things, he also worked as a specialist in the protection of cultural heritage for the Dutch military during the war in Iraq and served as a senior advisor at the American Embassy in Baghdad from June 2004 to March 2005. In 2013, he co-founded the NGO Heritage for Peace with Isber Sabrine. More information on René Teijgeler and his professional activities is available here.