Would you like to work hands-on with vintage photography? And do you think it is important to contribute to the visibility of the visual history of Palestine? The Netherlands Institute for the Near East (NINO) and Leiden University Libraries (UBL) are working on improving the digital accessibility of the Frank Scholten photo collection, a rich and unique photo collection about Palestine in the 1920s. To be able to take the last steps in opening up this important heritage, we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers! Register for one of the workshops, held between April and June 2023.

From 1921-1923, Frank Scholten photographed what was then Palestine in an almost encyclopaedic manner. From systematic documentation to portraits, from Biblical landscapes to a loose form of street photography: Scholten captured it in more than 20,000 photos. His photo collection is now regarded as one of the most important visual resources in Palestine. What makes his work completely unique is the so-called 'queer lense' through which Scholten, himself a homosexual, viewed the world. The photos are already online, but an extra layer of information needs to be revealed to make them easily findable and searchable. Will you help us uncover the hidden secrets in this important heritage collection?

Register

The workshops

In a series of ten workshops we take the final cataloguing steps for the collection. In particular, we will focus on texts added to the photo prints and negatives by Frank Scholten himself. In groups of three volunteers, we organize relevant negatives and prints and record additional information in the database. The workshops take place in the University Library in Leiden. Lunch and coffee/tea are provided.

| Date | Time | Place |
|

Thursday 6 April

| 09:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Thursday 13 April | 09:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Tuesday 25 April | 11:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Tuesday 2 May | 09:00 – 17:00 | Vossius |
| Tuesday 9 May | 09:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Tuesday 16 May | 09:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Tuesday 23 May | 11:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |
| Tuesday 30 May | 09:00 – 17:00 | Vossius |
| Thursday 1 June | 09:00 – 17:00 | Vossius |
| Tuesday 6 June | 09:00 – 17:00 | Heinsius |

Everyone is welcome, even if your availability is limited. You can register via the button above.

Man with a horse sits by a pond, [NINO F Scholten photographic print 19 2544]

Go to the Workshop series

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