The digital copy and facsimile reprint of the Slavic Primer (Mogilev, the Epiphany Brotherhood Printing-house, 1649) were solemnly donated to the National Library of Belarus, on March 13.
The Primer in the form of a digital copy and facsimile edition has been presented to the library by the didactic of history at the Stockholm State University, Per Carlsson. The return of this valuable book culture monument to the homeland became possible thanks to the efforts of the Belarusian Cultural Foundation.
Today the original Slavic Primer (Mogilev, the Epiphany Brotherhood Printing-house, 1649) is kept in the University Library in Uppsala, Sweden. Also, a microfilm copy is stored in the Russian State Library, and a fragment is kept in the Russian National Library.
During the ceremony, the Chairman of the Belarusian Cultural Foundation and member of the Commission at the Council of Ministers Vjartanne Vladimir Gilep happily noted that from the searches and revealing of Belarusian cultural values all over the world, we actively moved to their return. This is a good shift and a big step forward on the path to spiritual regeneration. The event was also attended by the Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Cultural Foundation Anatoly Butevich.
The Director of the National Library of Belarus, Roman Motulsky, expressed gratitude for the valuable gift, noting that it was very symbolic in 2018, the year when we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first Belarusian ABC-book. It will be a topic of a number of major events of the National Library: the 14th International Book Lectures, the presentation of the Primer Facsimile First Edition, and a large-scale exhibition project.
At the end of the meeting, Director Roman Motulsky invited guests to take part in the upcoming events and presented them the Primer (facsimile of the 1767 edition) as a memorable gift.
