On December 10, 2023, the Presidential Library of the Republic of Belarus celebrated its 90th anniversary. On the eve of the landmark date, December 8, the library staff was awarded numerous awards and congratulations from representatives of government agencies, ministries and departments, as well as foreign colleagues and partners in the meeting room of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.
In honour of the anniversary, the head of state instructed to transfer a unique gift to the Presidential Library fund – a collection of books from his personal fund. The collection includes more than 160 editions. It presents rare books of the XIX century, as well as modern editions -facsimile reproduction of ancient writings, folios, albums, gift editions.
The books received not only replenished the library's collections, but also expanded the possibilities of readers to work with rare books. Among them:
- reprint editions of atlases with unique information about the regions of Belarus
- "Belarusian folk songs, with related rituals, customs and superstitions" - a valuable autographed edition by the scientist and ethnographer Pavel Shein
- "Belarusian Archive of Ancient Letters", which contains more than 50 documents of the XVI–XVIII centuries on the history of the eastern lands of Belarus. The collection was published at a high archaeological level for that time and lifted the veil over the almost unknown centuries – old tragic and heroic history of Ancient Belarus
- a four-volume elite reprint of the famous book of memoirs (memoirs and reflections) of the legendary Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov and others.
Among the modern publications presented at the exhibition are artistic, economic and scientific literature, books on art, world history and modernity, books on sports and tourism, spiritual heritage, as well as the Great Patriotic War and Genocide.
A significant part of the collection consists of books on the development of various areas of activity of the member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. An interesting edition of this collection is the book “Moscow”, which reveals the beauty of the capital of Russia. As well as most of the books on display, the publication is made in accordance with the best examples of artistic, printing and design of the book.
The bibliographic value and uniqueness of many publications were given by the autographs and gift inscriptions left in them, original bindings, designer dust jackets and gift boxes.
The Presidential Library has donated this collection to the National Library for temporary display. The exhibition will interest a wide range of book lovers.
The exposition will be open in the exhibition complex (room 104) of the library from January 30 to February 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The completion date can be changed.
Admission is by the library card or by the social and cultural center ticket.
The material is presented by the Department of Gallery and Exhibition Activities.
