Press releases

MINSK, 2 February (BelTA) – Minsk will play host to the international congress to mark the 500^th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing in September 2017, Belarus’ Culture Minister Boris Svetlov said at the meeting of the national organizing committee of the anniversary celebrations on 2 February, BelTA has learned.

The preliminary date for the congress is 14-16 September. The plan of action for 2017 also includes the international exhibition project Francysk Skaryna and His Epoch, the shooting of a documentary about the first book printer (the film will be translated into foreign languages), and also the Belarusian art and educational project Francysk Skaryna Legacy under the aegis of the UNESCO. According to the minister, the project envisages art plein-airs in Belarus, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, France and the Czech Republic.

Special attention will be focused on the places where Francysk Skaryna lived and worked.

The plan to celebrate the 500^th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing includes about 60 events, which were approved at the meeting of the organizing committee. It is expected, however, that the plan will be expanded by more proposals and initiatives. Belarusian regions are expected to take an active part in the celebrations. According to Information Minister Lilia Ananich, the events will include a festival titled as Book Treasures of Belarus, by the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee, an exhibition of works from students of the Mogilev State College entitled as the Birth of Book, literature meetings, historical and poetry trips telling the story of the Belarusian book printing (prepared by the Minsk City Hall).