The Belarus Embassy in Vietnam granted a collection of 21 volumes of books reproduced in the style created by Francysk Skaryna to the National Library of Vietnam on December 19.

The Belarus Embassy in Vietnam granted a collection of 21 volumes of books of Francysk Skaryna to the National Library of Vietnam on December 19 morning. — Photo courtesy of Belarus Embassy in Vietnam

This is part of the events to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing and one of the greatest historical figures of Belarus, the educator Francysk Skaryna.

Speaking at the book donation ceremony in the National Library of Vietnam, the Ambassador of Belarus to Vietnam Vladimir Goshin said: “I hope that these books will be useful for the readers, allow them to get acquainted with the history and culture of our country, and will serve as a solid foundation for strengthening friendly relations between Belarus and Vietnam.”

“Starting from 2015, the National Library of Belarus donated a multivolume facsimile edition to the world’s largest libraries and museums. Similar events have already taken place in several countries of the world and have become a major event in the international cultural relations of our country,” the ambassador added.

Director of the National Library of Vietnam Kieu Thuy Nga said: “The unique collection of books will be important part of our collection of foreign materials preserved in the library.”

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Vietnam.

“The year 2017 is rich for significant events both in the history of bilateral relations between Belarus and Vietnam, and in the sphere of cultural cooperation between the two countries,” said the ambassador.

In May, the Days of Culture of Belarus were held in the capital city of Hanoi and the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

The preparation for the Days of Culture of Vietnam in Belarus, which will be held in June 2018, have also begun, according to the ambassador.

Francysk Skaryna was an outstanding Belarusian public figure, printer, philosopher humanist, writer and medical scientist.-VNA