The 500th anniversary of Belarusian book-printing is celebrated in Switzerland

The ceremonies of donation of The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna were held in the Palace of Nations in Geneva and in the University Library of Bern, on October 18 and 19.

On 18 October, Roman Motulsky, the director of the National Library of Belarus, presented the multivolume facsimile The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna in the Palace of Nations in Geneva. During the ceremony he noted the significance of the unique publication to both Belarus and the international community.

The international publishing project on the reconstruction of the Belarusian first printer’s heritage has become a highlight of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian printing. The project, implemented by the National Library of Belarus and the BelVEB Bank, is an excellent example of cooperation for the return and preservation of historical heritage.

After the presentation, Roman Motulsky donated the facsimile The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna to Francesco Pisano, the director of the UN Library. Now the complete set of books – 21 volumes – can be consulted in the United Nations Library’s hall.

The event continued with a roundtable meeting “The Future of Libraries in the Knowledge Society”, at which Mr. Motulsky read a report. Francesco Pisano and Renaldas Gudauskas, the director of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania, took part in the discussion.

On 19 October, the books printed by Francysk Skaryna and the international project on the facsimile reconstruction of his multivolume heritage were discussed in the University Library of Bern. After the words of welcome spoken by Library Director Eva Maurer, the ceremony of donation of the facsimile The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna was held. As part of the event, a tour was conducted to acquaint Mr. Motulsky with the library.

At the Swiss National Library Roman Motulsky met and negotiated with Director Marie-Christine Doffey. The meeting ended with an excursion to the library, during which Mr. Motulsky become acquainted with its information resources and rich collections, and also learned the experience of Swiss colleagues.

See also:

• The book heritage of Francysk Skaryna in France
• Facsimile of Skaryna’s book heritage brought to Kiev
• The National Library of Belarus at the International Book Fair in Azerbaijan
• The book heritage of Francysk Skaryna in Armenia
• The 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book-printing is celebrated in Moscow
• A crowing moment: the presentation of the complete Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna
• 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing was celebrated in Wroclaw
• In honor of great Skaryna: events in Kazakhstan
• The jubilee of Belarusian and East Slavic book printing was celebrated in the Czech Republic
• Skaryna’s facsimile heritage presented to the Russian National Library
• Events in Lithuania timed to the 500th anniversary of the national book printing
• Facsimile of Skaryna’s heritage presented to the Royal Library of Denmark
• The Book heritage of Francysk Skaryna in Estonia
• The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna in Latvia
• Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna appeared in the funds of Great Britain’s leading libraries
• Triumphant honoring!
• The National Library wins a full range of victories in the LVI National Contest "The Art of Book"
• Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the design of The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna
• Valuable collection presented to the main library of Romania
• Book heritage of Francysk Skaryna presented in Rome and Vatican
• Restored masterpieces of international value presented to the National Libraries of Austria and Slovakia
• Book heritage of Francysk Skaryna presented to the main library of Hungary
• The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna in Bulgaria
• Facsimile of Skaryna’s book heritage in Serbia
• Donation to the New York Public Library
• The Book Heritage of Francysk Skaryna in the USA
• Presentation of a facsimile edition of Skaryna’s book
• Belarusian-Lithuanian events timed to the anniversary of Skaryna
• Presentation of The Book Heritage of Francisk Skorina in Moscow
• Presentation of Skorina’s books facsimile edition in Mogilev
• Presentation of Skorina’s books facsimile edition in Baranovichi
• Presentation of Skorina’s books facsimile edition in Grodno
• Presentation of F. Skorina’s books facsimile edition in Polotsk
• Donation of facsimile editions of F. Skorina’s book heritage in Orsha
• Donation of facsimile editions of F. Skorina’s book heritage in Novogrudok
• Donation of the first volumes of The Book Heritage of Skorina
• Library’s project wins a diploma of the contest “The Art of Book”
• Presentation of the facsimile of the first volume of Skorina’s works
• The project on facsimile reprint of Francisk Skorina’s books is launched