500 Years of Belarusian Book Printing

MINSK, 1 September (BelTA) – The figure of the book printer Francysk Skaryna is of paramount importance for the Belarusian history and culture, Belarusian Culture Minister Boris Svetlov noted during a presentation of the multi-volume facsimile edition Francysk Skaryna’s Book Legacy on 1 September, BelTA has learned.

The completion of the fundamental work to restore Francysk Skaryna’s book legacy in facsimile is a momentous event for the national culture, the minister underlined. “Francysk Skaryna’s figure is of paramount importance for the Belarusian history and culture. His name is a sort of a symbol of national identity,” Boris Svetlov remarked.

In his words, the introduction of Skaryna’s updated legacy to wider audience is crucial to further development of domestic culture. The minister stressed that the year marking the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing has seen and will see a number of artistic, scientific, educational, and enlightening events.

In turn, Information Minister Lilia Ananich said that many interesting projects had been launched thanks to the large-scale celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing. They instill a sense of pride in people both in Belarus and abroad. According to the minister, Belarusians decently represent Belarus’ book publishing at the international level. Projects of the greatest interest will be presented in Polotsk on 2 September as the town will be celebrating the Belarusian Written Language Day. The event is going to gather guests from all over the world.

The National Library of Belarus showcased a large project, the multi-volume facsimile edition Francysk Skaryna’s Book Legacy on 1 September. The last 21st volume has been published just recently. The project originated in 2013, when the National Library of Belarus and Bank BelVEB agreed to carry out a program to publish facsimile editions of Francysk Skaryna’s books. Over the last five years the sides were gradually getting closer to the common goal: collect electronic copies of Francysk Skaryna’s books spread all over the world and restore them in a multivolume facsimile edition. As a result, this year it was finally completed. It comprises the collection of facsimiles of books printed by Skaryna in Prague in 1517-1519 and in Vilnius in 1522-1525.

The presentation starts a series of September events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing. The National Library is going to host the international congress 500 Years of Belarusian Book Printing and the opening ceremony of the international exhibition Francysk Skaryna and His Epoch on 14-15 September.