MINSK, 28 February (BelTA) – Belarus' National Library and the British Library signed a long-term cooperation agreement, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the source, Director of Belarus' National Library Roman Motulsky visited the UK on 27- 28 February on the invitation of the British Library. Roman Motulsky participated in the events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian and Eastern European book printing and held talks on the cooperation between Belarus' National Library and the UK libraries. The visit was organized with the support by the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus to the UK.
On 27 February, Roman Motulsky met with Chief Executive of the British Library Roly Keating. Belarus' Ambassador to the UK Sergei Aleinik, Deputy Director of Belarus' National Library Alexander Susha, and Head of Collections and Curation at the British Library Kristian Jensen also took part in the meeting. The parties signed the memorandum of understanding between Belarus' National Library and the British Library Board. The document outlines the steps to establish a long-term cooperation between the two institutions.
The representatives of Belarus got acquainted with the British Library most valuable collections of ancient Belarusian books, including three original editions by Belarus' first book printer Francysk Skaryna.
The same day the British Library hosted the conference on the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing, attended by Slavists, the British Library staff, the Belarusian diplomats, general public, and journalists. The conference featured the donation ceremony of Francysk Skaryna Book Legacy, a many-volume facsimile edition, to the British Library.
On 28 February, the Belarusian guests visited the Cambridge University libraries, including the Trinity College Library, where they held talks on further cooperation and donated Francysk Skaryna Book Legacy facsimiles. They also visited Francysk Skaryna Library in London which also received the facsimiles of Belarus' first book printer works.
