MINSK, 15 August (BelTA) – A limited edition of the book ANTARCTICA published by Nahanni Productions Inc. from Canada has been donated to the Yakub Kolas Central Research Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), BelTA learned from the press service of the NASB.
The publication was a gift to the Belarusian head of government on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. This anniversary was celebrated at the XLII Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that took place in Prague, the Czech Republic on 1-11 July 2019. A decision was taken to give this book to the NASB, so that all people interested in the topic could leaf it through.
ANTARCTICA is one of the most exquisite photography books of our times. Enhanced by antique book-binding traditions and sumptuous, archival materials, this objet d'art has received 19 international awards for excellence and craftsmanship - more than any other modern book. These awards include: World's Best Photography Book; Gold Ink Award - Fine Edition Books; Outstanding Book of the Year - Best Bookarts Craftsmanship; Benjamin Franklin Award (World's best printing); Art Craft Science Award etc. Ten years of intensive effort have culminated in the release of just 950 books and 50 proofs, the press service informed.
The Yakub Kolas Central Research Library of the National Academy of Sciences got Issue No. 701. The tome's weight at 12.5 kg is similar to that of a two-year-old child. The 336 pages include 345 images by photographers Pat and Rosemarie Keough. Experts in polar research and art have stated that there is not another published portfolio of Antarctica to equal that of the Keoughs. The International Photography Awards committee honored the Keoughs with the award "Nature Photographer of the Year" for their imagery in ANTARCTICA. Each image has been superbly reproduced on luxurious, heavy paper using light-fast pigments and the world's highest resolution lithography.
All books are sewn and bound entirely by hand in full morocco, a fine-grained goat leather, using book-binding artistry that dates to 15th-century Venice. Each copy is presented in a sturdy linen and velvet archival box.
The book will be available in the hall of rare books and manuscripts of the Yakub Kolas Central Research Library.
