The use of magic lanterns at the Palestinian readings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

The article deals with issues related to the use of projection devices (magic lanterns) and transparencies (foggy pictures) at the Palestinian readings in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. It is noted that the leadership of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society made significant efforts to release, systematize, and distribute a series of foggy paintings dedicated to the past and present of the Holy Land and the Russian pilgrimage. Some technical aspects of the use of projection equipment are disclosed. It is noted that gradually magic lanterns became an indispensable attribute of the Palestinian readings in large cities, and the visualization of the images of the Holy Land, as well as the main activities of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society for the organization of the pilgrimage, played a huge role in consolidating the information received in the minds of the listeners of the readings. However, in rural areas until the early 1910s magic lanterns were still rarely used. The problems that hindered the expansion of their use in lectures were noted, including the holding of Palestinian readings in temples, the lack of technical and material capabilities.