Thursday Doors, August 17 2017

Today just one door. But it’s all-encompassing.

I’ve always found it hard to imagine how one building can contain all books published by a nation. And yet it does. Luckily, the nation is rather small.

During my January Graffiti Tour of Ljubljana I told the guide that I liked taking photos of doors especially, and he asked me if I’d done the NUK yet. I had to admit that I hadn’t.

NUK, National and University Library of Slovenia, was designed by the most important Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik and built between 1936 and 1941. Even though I passed it at least three times during my return visits to Ljubljana since I moved to Tuscany, judging from my photo archives, I never even glanced at its door. How rude.

So the least I could do – at least until I write a book so that NUK will have to contain me too – was finish my recent hot, painful and bittersweet photo round of Ljubljana there, in front of its door. Dan and Norm will say that it needs a bit of TLC but the handles make up for it.

Said that, I realise that I miss my door friends and your doors and visiting blogs in general. My visit got another week added but sooner or later I’ll be back and come abreast.

I was there in summer.

In winter.

The bust of Ivan Prijatelj, Slovenian literary historian. It says that he was a fair judge, passionate lover and ardent promoter of the beauty of Slovenian books.

In June last year.

A night-time fly-by.

Finally, the door.

National and University Library of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Photo: © signature mmm

For Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors challenge.