National Library of Belarus

The National Library of Belarus is a 23-story building located in the northeastern part of Minsk that has become the main book depository and intellectual symbol of the republic. The futuristic building, resembling a jewel in its shape, houses the Center for International Meetings and Negotiations, engineering and technical facilities, a repository, a socio-cultural center, as well as 18 reading rooms capable of accommodating more than 2,000 visitors at a time.

.

Video: National Library of Belarus

Contents

Historical Background

The country’s main library was founded in 1922 and was called the Belarusian State and University Library. The institution, which actually belonged to the Belarusian State University (BSU), was located in Minsk, on Zakharievskaya Street (today Independence Avenue) and had a very modest reading capacity of 60,000 copies.

>

In 1926, the library left the BSU, and in 1932 moved to a new building, designed by architect G. Lavrov. The institution was actively developing: already by 1941 in its storages there were about 2 million books and periodicals, which were used by more than 15 thousand readers. Unfortunately, during the Nazi occupation 83% of the library’s literary heritage was irretrievably lost. Mostly rare and old printed editions were taken abroad. In addition, as a result of a fire, almost the entire reserve collection was burned.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the institution received the status of the National Library of Belarus. By that time it had expanded considerably, raising the question of the need to build a larger room.

.

Construction of the “Belarusian Diamond”

The competition, the purpose of which was to choose the best project of the new library building, was held in 1989. Its winners were architects V. Kramarenko and M. Vinogradov, who showed the jury an original model in the form of a rhombo-cubo-octahedron. The construction, which is a complex polyhedron, was proposed to be installed on the stylobate (podium). The facade of the “crystal” was supposed to be covered with mirror panels. According to the architects’ idea, this form of the National Library was supposed to symbolize the infinity and invaluableness of knowledge.

.

For many 13 years the drawings lay on the shelf, until in 2002 the republican government decided to build the library. A total of 200 organizations and more than 5 thousand people were involved in this large-scale project. Construction works were carried out round the clock, and at least 3 thousand workers were always present at the site. The opening ceremony of the National Library of Belarus took place in June 2006.

.

Interior and exterior decoration

The first thing that greets the visitors of the National Library is the statue of the Belarusian first printer Francis Skaryna, located near the front entrance. If you are partial to various light shows, try to visit the building in the evening. It is at this time in the “diamond” turns on the external illumination, turning it into a giant media facade. The huge, diode “screen” is capable of displaying about 20 light combinations depicting fanciful patterns and figures.

.

You can enter the lobby of the “Belarusian Diamond” through the front entrance, designed in the form of an open book volume. The spacious lobby of the library houses a checkroom, a children’s room, recreation areas equipped with soft cozy chairs, as well as a cash desk, electronic catalogs, points of excursion service and reference. By the way, if you elevator your head up, on the walls of the atrium you can see various decorative panels made by Belarusian artists, as well as part of a unique system for the delivery of literature – the book elevator.

.

The next three floors of the National Library of Belarus are occupied by reading rooms. They provide comfortable conditions for visitors, besides, the halls are equipped with the necessary equipment for people with disabilities. The specificity of the internal structure of the library is such that the rooms designed for the reception of visitors are located in the lower part of the building – the stylobate. The free space of the polyhedron itself is occupied by the library collections.

Today, the National Library has a record number of literary and information resources, including:

  • more than 70,000 rare and first printing editions, as well as manuscripts;
  • about 3 million journals published from the early 19th century to the present day;
  • visual documentation;
  • sheet music archives;
    • .
  • approximately 4,700 newspapers;
  • audiovisual documents;
  • CD-ROMs;
    • .
  • cartographic documents;
    • .
  • scientific publications;
  • electronic collections.

In 2005, the National Library of Belarus began equipping the International Center for meetings of heads of state. The idea, submitted by the President of the Republic, was put into practice by allocating an area in the building for the Round and Oval meeting rooms, a press center, and a conference hall.

.

The National Library of Belarus is not necessarily a place for bibliophiles and “nerds” of Minsk. The institution is also visited with pleasure by supporters of a healthy lifestyle. The thing is that the library has its own fitness center equipped with a modern gym, sauna and fitness bar. The place is especially popular among Minskers because of the low cost of services.

.

In addition to the sports center, the National Library includes a book museum, several art galleries that periodically organize all kinds of exhibitions, recreational areas and a viewing platform.

.

Tourist information: opening hours, tours

From May 1 to September 31, the following types of guided tours take place in the building of the National Library of Belarus:

  • a tour of the library with a visit to the Museum of the Book;
  • a tour of the library with a visit to the museum and the observation deck;
  • a guided tour of the library including a tour of the International Meeting Center’s Round Room and observation deck;
  • excursion “Minsk in the palm of your hand”, which includes climbing to the observation deck and photographing the city panorama.
.

Excursion events are held every day except Monday (Tues, Wed, Fri – from 10:00 to 18:00; Read, Sat, Sun – from 10:00 to 17:00). You can sign up for them by e-mail ekskursii@nlb.by or by phone (8 017) 293 29 66, (8 017) 293 28 53

.

There are also several children’s programs in the institution’s program, such as “Birthday in the Library” and “Journey to the Land of Book Treasures”. Fascinating walks through the halls, climbing the observation deck, fun quizzes and games in the children’s room, as well as receiving symbolic prizes – all this awaits young readers in the main library of Minsk.

.

Interesting facts

The library’s electrical grid system is controlled by as many as three substations.

>

About half a million dollars was donated to the institution by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

.

The National Library of Belarus is ranked 11th in Flavorwire’s ranking of the most fantastic architectural objects of our time, and 24th in the top 50 most unconventional structures, according to the online magazine Village of Joy.

.

The first library card of the National Library belongs to the head and political leader of the republic A. G. Lukashenko.

.

How to get there

Address of the National Library: Minsk, Independence Avenue, 116.

.

It is convenient to get to the National Library of Belarus using the 1st line of Minsk subway. Just get off at the station “Vostok” – and you are there. If you want, you can also use other means of public transportation. Buses (routes № 25, 27, 34, 64, 77, 80, 87c, 89e, 91, 95, 113, 145c, 165, 921) and trolleybuses (routes № 41, 42) go to the library.

.