The solemn opening of the XXIII International Cyril and Methodius readings dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian and East Slavic book-printing was held at the National Library of Belarus, on May 22nd.
This year’s topic is ”Religion and literature as the factors of Slavic culture formation” .
His Eminence Pavel, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus addressed a welcome speech to the audience. The opening of the Readings was attended by the director of the National Library of Belarus Roman Motulsky, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov, deputy commissioner for religious and ethnic affairs Elena Radchenko as well as representatives of diplomatic missions, foreign scientists, heads of scientific and educational institutions.
The first plenary meeting was held within the framework of the ceremony. Professor of the Minsk Theological Academy, Archpriest Sergiy Gordun made a report on the personality of Francysk Skaryna. Valentina Komleva, the dean of the Faculty of International Regional Studies and Regional Management of the Institute of Public Service and Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, presented a report on the role of religious institutions in international humanitarian cooperation. The event ended with a concert program dedicated to the opening of the XXIII Cyril and Methodius readings.
On 23 May, the Readings continued in the format of sectional meetings. Also the second plenary session and round table “Spirituality and morality of a person in the interreligious dialogue” were held. The events were attended by foreign guests – theologians, philosophers, teachers from Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Germany.
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