The National Library of Belarus is an object of cultural heritage of Belarusians. It collects, stores and provides for use a universal fund of documents, books, print and electronic publications.

The State Library in Minsk was founded in 1922 and first belonged to the Belarusian State University. At the time of its opening, its funds totaled only 60 thousand copies, which were used by only 1.1 thousand people.

Over the years of its existence, the library has changed its name and location. In March 2002, it was decided to build a new building for the National Library of Belarus. It was opened on June 16, 2006.

Externally, the building resembles a glazed polyhedron close to the ball - a “diamond”, which rises in the center of a 3-story podium (stylobate). The shape of the building symbolizes the value of knowledge and the infinity of the knowable world (the authors of the architectural project are M. K. Vinahradaŭ and V. U. Kramarenka). The interior of the library was decorated by the best artists and sculptors of Belarus. The area of ​​the library is more than 113 thousand square meters and a height of it is 73,6 meters. The capacity of the funds is 14 million storage units. 17 reading rooms and 2 thousand reader’s places. The library has a unique Museum of books and a number of galleries where various events and celebrations are held.

In front of the building of the National Library of Belarus, a figure of Francysk Skaryna, a Belarusian first printer and translator of the Bible, is installed. The entrance to the library is made in the form of an open book with artistic images on the topic of the development of world and Slavic writing.

Sightseeing tours have become especially popular, introducing visitors directly to the new library building and giving a more complete understanding of its work, architectural features, artistic design and technical level. There is an observation deck on the roof of the library, where visitors are taken by a panoramic elevator. Here you can admire the wonderful landscape of Minsk.

Please use the audio guide for the unique international exhibition "Belarus and the Bible", which was organized by the National Library of Belarus and the Manuscript Research Group (USA). Intro page – https://krokam.com/belarus-bible.

Publication date: 17.02.2020.

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