500 Years of Belarusian Book Printing

MINSK, 19 October (BelTA) – A facsimile edition titled as The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna has been donated to the UN Library and the library of University of Bern, representatives of the National Library of Belarus told BelTA.

Director of the National Library of Belarus Roman Motulsky presented the facsimile edition of the books published by the Belarusian book printing pioneer Francysk Skaryna in the Palace of Nations in Geneva. Roman Motulsky mentioned the importance of the edition for Belarus and the international community.

The international project to recreate the book legacy of the Belarusian book printing pioneer is the central fulcrum for many events timed to the 500^th anniversary since the first Belarusian book was printed. Implemented by the National Library of Belarus and BelVEB Bank, the project represents a vivid example of successful cooperation of organizations united by the common idea of recovering and perpetuating the historical legacy.

After the presentation Roman Motulsky solemnly handed over the facsimile edition to Director of the UN Library in Geneva Francesco Pisano. Later on the 21-volume collection will be showcased in the UN Library so that members of the general public could get familiar with it.

Roman Motulsky also presented a report during the roundtable session on the future of libraries in an information society. Francesco Pisano and Director of the Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania Renaldas Gudauskas took part in the discussion.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the staff of the UN Office in Geneva, and Belarusians, who live in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, attended the events held in Geneva to mark the 500^th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing industry.

Apart from that, Francysk Skaryna’s legacy and the international project to recreate it in the form of a multivolume facsimile edition were discussed at a meeting in the library of University of Bern. Roman Motulsky solemnly presented a copy of the facsimile edition to the university library then.