Excavating The Present: Micha Ullman’s Library and Counter-Monumental Spaces

As you reach Berlin Mitte’s Bebel Square (Bebelplatz), whether coming from the north via Humboldt University or from the south along Unter den Linden boule-vard, a curious sight might catch your eye. A small crowd gathers around a partic-ular spot on the ground, many peering down intently, with some even leaning over as if peering into a hidden portal. Drawn by their captivated posture, you feel compelled to investigate further. Moving closer, the source of their fascina-tion becomes clear: set flush into the pavement is a thick glass panel. In the day-light, it can be difficult to discern what lies beneath but as night falls, a soft glow emanates from below, revealing a small, empty subterranean room lined with sixteen bare white shelves. Nearby, a plaque on the pavement bears a pointed inscription by the German poet Heinrich Heine: ‘Those who burn books will in the end burn people.’