500 Years of Belarusian Book Printing

MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – The international congress titled as 500 years of Belarusian book printing will gather scholars from 24 countries in the National Library of Belarus on 14-15 September, BelTA learned from Natalia Zaderkovskaya, the deputy head of the culture and analysis department, the head of the department for culture and folk art at the Belarusian Culture Ministry.

The international congress will be one of the key events to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the National Library of Belarus. The National Library holds international library congresses annually but this one is special, Natalia Zaderkovskaya said. The congress will bring together famous public and political figures, diplomats, heads of the scientific, educational and cultural institutions of Belarus and many foreign countries, world-famous experts and specialists.

The scholars exploring European and national book heritage will discuss the influence of books on the development of countries and civilizations, the ways to preserve this heritage and make it available to the world, Director of Belarus’ National Library Roman Motulsky said. He believes scholars can do a lot to bring the peoples closer, especially European nations that have a common cultural space. The congress will be working for two days in the National Library and Nesvizh Castle. The international congress to mark 500 years of Belarusian book printing will be held under the auspices of UNESCO.

One of the highlights of the jubilee celebrations will be the international exhibition Francysk Skaryna and His Epoch which will open in Minsk on 14 September. According to Natalia Zaderkovskaya, Francysk Skaryna and His Epoch is the largest exhibition project of the year. The project is unique as it will feature the publications of Francysk Skaryna and his followers and the first publications of some European countries in native languages.