King, tyrant, victim of political propaganda, literary figure: the image of Richard III of England has been constantly reshaped since his brief reign (1483–1485). In the seminar ‘From the “winter of discontent” to the “spring of the modern age”? The reign and interpretation of Richard III of England between the Middle Ages and the modern era’, history students examined these shifting interpretations and translated selected examples into the format of academic posters.

This small exhibition showcases the results of this project. It offers insights into the engagement with sources, media and forms of historical memory – ranging from historiographical and literary accounts to modern forms of reception in popular culture.

The posters will be on display at Paderborn University Library from 23 June to 5 July 2026 (Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to midnight; Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00 am to 8.30 pm). Anyone interested is warmly invited to follow the trail revealed by the students’ work.

Contact: Dr. Tilman Moritz, Institute for Catholic Theology/Institute of History

A new exhibition will open at Paderborn University Library on Tuesday, 19 May at 16:00: The exhibition on the "GenderPlaySpaces of the Italian Renaissance" aims to make the logic of representation underlying the urban, courtly and also domestic spaces of the Italian Renaissance visible and understandable again. It was conceived and organised by the Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies Department at the Institute of German Literature and Comparative Literature at Paderborn University. Alice Joy Cox, Consul of the Republic of Italy, will give the opening address. All interested parties are cordially invited to attend. The exhibition can then be visited until 14 June. Further information is available at go.upb.de/renaissance.

From the excursion to the exhibition: Reconstruction of gender spaces in Florence

After the consul's welcoming address, Professor Dr Jörn Steigerwald and Sahra Puscher from the Comparative Literature department of the Institute of German Literature and Comparative Literature will present the exhibition concept in more detail. As part of an excursion seminar to Florence, which was organised in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Art History in Florence, students from various disciplines reconstructed prominent rooms that can still be experienced today. In these spaces, the interaction of the sexes was regulated in very different ways and the staging of the sexes also had an important representational function. In order to make this coexistence, juxtaposition and opposition visible and understandable, the exhibition focuses on outstanding examples of the house ("casa"), courtyard ("corte") and city ("città"), which were primarily located in Florence, the centre of the Italian Renaissance. During the opening event, the students will also focus on these three rooms in short presentations.

The exhibition can be visited during the opening hours of the University Library: Mondays to Fridays from 7.30 a.m. to midnight; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. (closed on public holidays).

Specialist contact: Professor Dr Jörn Steigerwald, Institute for German Literature and Comparative Literature at Paderborn University

1. The ToleranzRäume exhibition is touring Germany with colourful containers in public places and there is also an indoor version, which is now being shown in the university library as part of the 'Action Day against Racism'. The exhibition invites people to experience and discuss how tolerance can work in our coexistence, but also where it has its limits. Its aim is to open up new perspectives on the topic of tolerance, but also very specifically on the living environments of other people.

We are particularly pleased to be able to present the virtual development of the exhibition by the Centre for Information and Media Technology Services (ZIM) and GamesLab at Paderborn University. In addition to the exhibition, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience extended content via VR glasses.

The exhibition will be opened on 21 April at 14:30 by the Vice President for International Affairs and President of the COLOURS Alliance, Professor Dr. Heike Trautmann, on the entrance level of the University Library. Afterwards, all interested parties are invited to a bilingual tour of the exhibition followed by a discussion. The European COLOURS Alliance will offer a stand with advice on the COLOURS Alliance and representatives of the Implementation Office will be on site. A small COLOURS snack will provide refreshments.

The exhibition can then be visited until 10 May during the opening hours of the University Library: Mondays to Fridays from 7:30 am to midnight; Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm (closed on public holidays).

The exhibition has been extended until 17 May 2026.

8 March is International Women's Day - on this day, the focus is on gender equality. It is about equal rights and equal opportunities as well as empowering the next generation towards more equal opportunities. To mark the occasion, the travelling exhibition "Frauen in MINT" will be on display on the entrance level of the University Library.

Few women still choose to study and pursue a scientific career in the STEM field. For this reason, female role models who have successfully followed this path are presented with very personal insights.

The travelling exhibition "Women in STEM" shows experiences, successes, but also challenges through portraits of inspiring women and their life paths in the academic and professional fields of STEM (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology).

The exhibition will be on display in the University Library from 3 to 19 March 2026 (Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to midnight; Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm). Stop by, learn about the stories of women in STEM and be inspired!