On World Book Day, a roundup of the most exciting places to read and buy
Someone is reading Just under an umbrella in summer, some in the park, some at home with a steaming cup of tea. Who still fills pages Underline or notes or notes or which leaves them untouched in a kind of religious respect. In short, everyone has their own rituals when it comes to books. What unites me Book lovers It is certainly the love of bookstores, the heaven on earth, the oases in the desert where you can indulge yourself and let yourself be carried away by the genuine and naïve curiosity as well as the unbridled love of books. marking World Book and Copyright Daywhich is celebrated on April 23, Vogue magazine So Italy decided to take you around the world in between The most beautiful and most unusual libraries ever. From Lagos to Venice via Chengdu and Hai-on-Wai, an epic journey through the words and thoughts of these interpreters who, over the centuries, have fueled Readers’ passion for books.
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1. Cărturești Carusel
Strada Lipscani 55, Bucharest, Romania
Library history Cărturești Carusel in Bucharest is the least convincing: the building at Strada Lipscani 55 was commissioned and built in 1903 by a wealthy family of Greek bankers and then confiscated by the communist regime in the 1950s. It was abandoned to utter decay with the collapse of communism. In 2007, the grandson of the banker who built the building at the beginning of the 20th century managed to restore the space after 24 years of legal battles. It was from there that Cărturești Carusel (“Carousel of light” in Romanian) was born. An extensive renovation went above and beyond, creating one bright space, highlighted by the white one who becomes the protagonist and which extends over an area of 10 thousand square meters. The library is attached to it Beautiful tea room On the top floor which gives a great view of the entire library.
2- Zhongshuge Library
1656 Tianfu Street, North Section, Chengdu, China
entrance Dujiangyan Zhongshuge from Chengdu It was as if it had been tossed directly into one of the countless lithographs M.C. Escher. Everything from the mezzanine to the grand arches that organically connect different areas of the library give the reader an immersive experience that is sometimes comforting and sometimes alienating. Inspiration comes directly from landscapes around the area, the city of Dujiangyan specifically, which owes its name to a particular irrigation system built around 250 BC (now a UNESCO heritage site) that diverts the Min River into a water channel that heads towards Chengdu, Sichuan Region. So the library architecture takes this in Complex and ancient canal system Where tradition and modernity meet. The mirror ceiling multiplies the space, creating an optical illusion with a strong effect, and Dujiangyan Zhongshuge is devoted to Gothic Cathedral of the Printed Word.
3. The Ateneo Grand Splendid Hotel
Santa Fe Street 1860, Buenos Aires, Argentina
At No. 1860 of Santa Fe Street in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires Arises Ateneo Grand Splendid Hotela space that opened in 1919 as a theater (Teatro Grand Splendid) in a rapidly expanding city, a city that was preparing to receive thousands of immigrants, especially from Europe, who contributed to sponsoring Rich cultural and artistic scene From which, for example, tango was born, an unmistakable symbol of Argentina. Starting in the 2000s, the theater spaces have been converted into a library, with the original decorations well preserved, including Fresco dome by Italian Nazarino Orlandi. Widely dedicated by most as the most beautiful bookstore in the world (it is no coincidence that National Geographic designated it as such in 2019), it provides a unique opportunity to browse 120 thousand titles Existing in a space that keeps it cool and defining charm would be an understatement.
4. The Book of Atlantis
Nomikos Street, Oia, Greece
until the birth Atlantis book It is because of an idea, a strong will to make a significant contribution to the world of books and the literary world itself. The two heroes of this story Craig Walker and Oliver WiseTwo American students On vacation in Santorini In 2002. Noticing the scarcity of books in English on the island, the two boys decided to open up their own space in Oia, a small village washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Here the book Atlantis was born, A.S International library Which now offers literature in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, German and, of course, Greek. It also offers used and rare books such as first editions but also special titles, all in a frame Beautiful Greek island.
5. Boekhandel Dominicanen
Dominicanerkerkstraat 1, Maastricht, The Netherlands
the Boekhandel Dominicanen from Maastricht Centuries and centuries ago, more precisely in 1294. It’s the first Gothic church built in the Netherlands, in Maastricht to be exact, and then deconsecrated 600 years later. He has suffered ever since important changesIn the past, it hosted boxing matches, car shows, and was even used as a bicycle depot. In 2005 it took on the form it still retains with great pride to this day. To punish tsarism with the past and plan its new use, with the same acceptance Co-founder Ton HarmsA book-shaped steel gate was placed at the entrance to indicate the nature of the space you are about to visit. Majestic Doors report The word “book” is written in 27 languagesA global celebration of the written word. The literary heritage consists of no fewer than 25,000 titles and 45,000 volumes, and is accessible to the more than 700,000 visitors who crowd the cathedral’s grounds each year and who have the opportunity to stroll between the corridors of the cathedral Where the past and present merge.
6. Jazzhole
168 Awolowo Road, Lagos, Nigeria
At first glance Jazzhole It can go unnoticed, inside a dilapidated building in the Nigerian capital Lagos, a city widely known as the cultural, financial and entertainment center of Africa. for him eclectic soul It definitely makes it a unique place Worth a visit; A meeting place that welcomes its visitors and directs them among themselves Books of all kinds, endless coffee and tea, and vintage magazines And hundreds and hundreds of discs. Not only a bookstore but also a nice coffee shop and a place where you can attend jam sessions with local musicians. In short, a great example of Literature and music Who meets and whose union is embodied in this little African jewel.
7. The Library of Truth
1 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye, Wales, UK
If I told you about the existence of a file library open sky which stands in the garden of a castle where there are no booksellers willing to help you find the perfect book nor cash registers you probably won’t believe me, at most you’ll think it was a joke. Rather, everything is correct, it is aboutSadaqah Hay-on-Wye Librarya small Welsh city of more than two thousand inhabitants, is proud of the title “The world’s first book city”It is a title grabbed thanks to the existence of more than 30 inter-library and bookstore exercises. To prove its importance in the literary world, the city has, since 1988, even hosted Literature FestivalOne “Spirit Woodstock”As stated by former US President Bill Clinton. The Hay-on-Wye Honesty Bookshop is therefore a bookshop located in the gardens of Hay Castle which was built around the middle of the 17th century on the ruins of a 13th-century Norman castle. Readers can here Search among stacked books Casual then pay off with complete independence and start reading sitting on a bench or, why not, lying on the green grass surrounding the shelves.
8. Library Les Insolites
28 Khaled Ibn Al-Walid, Tangiers, Morocco
The birth of the library Les Insolites with the same acceptance of its founder Stephanie Gao, a young French woman who has moved to Tangiers, has had a long and troubled pregnancy. His idea of opening a cultural space in the Moroccan port city was initially greeted with indifference, if not a hard laugh. For example, at that time there was no help from the Ministry of Culture. Despite this, Stephanie had a very subtle idea in mind: to offer readers a A place full of books, of course, but also of artistic events. The task is easy we can say, the owner has succeeded in creating a welcoming space for her visitors, a place that integrates well into the artistic and cultural context of Tangier.
9. The Last Library
453 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, United States
The last library It is definitely a mandatory stop for all paper lovers going on a pilgrimage in the City of Angels. It’s the largest new and used book and user store in the entire state of California. The adventure began in 2005 when the founder took over a loft in downtown Los Angeles John Spencer who put aside his decades of experience in e-commerce to focus on his first true love: books. From there this library was born, which today has become a real library A provocation to the dominance of the Internet The numbers are still staggering in a society where sales and purchases are increasingly going digital. But on a digital level, John Spencer prefers analog. Whether it passes through a file A tunnel made entirely of books Or by peeking through a hole in a bookstore, The Last Bookstore promises its visitors a unique and undeniably authentic experience.
10. Acqua Alta Library
Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, Venice, Italy
Perhaps the most famous of all the proposed libraries and perhaps the best ones that tell the story of the city in which they are located are: High Water Libraryborn in Venice In 2004 from the idea of Luigi Friso, it brings with it much of the spirit of Serenissima. To protect the volumes from the danger of water, we do not find racks or shelves but rather Gondolas, kayaks, small boats and tanks that float if needed Keeping books safe. Spaces are limited, and the people who crowd the library every day are plenty. Everyone wants to immerse themselves in this miniature world of Venice where they can sift through available titles in different languages, old books, bestsellers, and the catalog certainly doesn’t end there. a A real maze Where to embrace the thoughts and stories of the writers (and women writers) who, over the years, have filled the most beautiful pages ever written.
