Hungary's ancient abbey battles massive beetle infestation threatening historic library
- A serious beetle infestation threatens the book collection of a historic abbey in Hungary, where 100,000 handbound volumes are being removed for disinfection.
- The drugstore beetle, known for damaging foodstuffs, is causing significant harm to the library's books due to their attraction to adhesives.
- The Pannonhalma Archabbey takes extensive measures to preserve its invaluable cultural and historical treasures, emphasizing the importance of protecting cultural heritage.
In Hungary, the Pannonhalma Archabbey, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery and UNESCO World Heritage site, is engaged in a crucial effort to save its historic book collection from a severe beetle infestation. The library houses approximately 400,000 volumes, and restoration workers are currently removing around 100,000 handbound books from their shelves as a part of a disinfection process aimed at eradicating the drugstore beetles that have infected the collection. These pests, which thrive on the adhesives used in bookbinding, have been identified in a section of the library that contains a significant portion of the abbey's literary treasures. The damage caused by these infestations not only threatens the physical integrity of the books but also represents a loss of cultural heritage that has persisted for centuries. Ilona Ásványi, the library's director, expressed her deep concern about the infestation, stating that even when books can be replaced, the loss of cultural and historical context is irreplaceable. The abbey has withstood various challenges throughout its history – from wars to occupations – and is now facing an unprecedented threat due to the rising global temperatures, which have likely contributed to more frequent insect infestations. With climate change on the rise, the abbey's leadership, grounded in a centuries-old code of preservation, is determined to combat this damage decisively. The restoration team believes that after treating the infected books in a pure nitrogen environment for six weeks, they can eliminate the beetles and begin restoring the affected works. However, the urgency of this situation is paramount, given that these books are invaluable pieces of Hungary's religious and cultural past. Maintaining the integrity of the collection is essential not only for preserving history but also for safeguarding the knowledge and insights held within these volumes for future generations. The abbey's systematic approach to addressing the infestation underscores the interplay between environmental factors and cultural preservation efforts, highlighting the need for awareness about the impacts of climate change on various aspects of society.