In the past 2 years KITLV has run a pilot-project on the coloniality of Asian library and manuscript-formations. In this session, the project will introduce itself, its methods, some cases and preliminary findings, and will engage with a discussant and the audience.

With the KITLV Special Collections as point of departure, we have studied the social biographies of manuscripts, and the colonial histories of collecting, to gain insight into the role of violence therein, and to recognize local agency in the makings of so-called Asian Libraries. The KITLV’s Special Collections thereby provide a prism to understand what unpacking ‘the Asian Library’ may reveal. At the occasion of KITLV 175 year's celebration the team
will reflect on the objects, questions and results of this research in 2 different sessions. In session 2, the coordinators will briefly discuss the project (the background, methods, issues, preliminary results). Then, the three researchers will present case studies, providing insight in the social biographies, forms of violence, and local agency that brought manuscripts to the KITLV, and made them accessible. The question there is also how, for whom, and for whom not? After that, an outsider expert in the field (TBA) will react. In the second half of the session, led by moderator Maurice Seleky, the discussion will be opened with the public, focusing on our tentative recommendations. How do we look at these objects/ manuscripts and their histories in the light of present-day restitution debates? What should be demanded of the curators and custodians of manuscript collections gathered in colonial contexts? How can provenance research into colonial library collections in Europe become meaningful in 'provenance' countries and to local manuscript custodians, activists and users?

NB: session one will be in the Vossiuszaal 10:45-11:45 hrs.