Over 10 thousand Mongolian books being kept at Russian State Library
SocietyUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. In the framework of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, an exhibition themed ‘The History of Mongolian book publishing’ was opened at the Russian State Library on October 9.
Co-organized by the Embassy of Mongolia to the Russian Federation, Center of Oriental Literature at the Russian State Library, and the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University, the exhibition aims to introduce the library’s valuable collection of Mongolian books to modern readers.
In her opening remarks, Acting Head of the Center of Oriental Literature M.E.Melanin highlighted that over 10,000 Mongolian books and periodicals are kept at the library.
This time, the exhibition focused on books and sutras mostly made with wooden printing blocks between the 18th and 19th centuries, including rare printed works and manuscripts such as a Buddhist trilogy written in Sanskrit, Mongolian, and Tibetan, a biography of a Tibetan literary figure named Milaraib written in the 18th century, a story about Indian kings translated from Tibetan, and a part of the Ganjuur scripture. Some modern literature works such as a selection of works by author S.Erdene translated into Russian, and an edition of a children’s magazine named ‘Successor’ have also been presented.
Advisor at the Embassy of Mongolia to the Russian Federation Ts.Ganbold thanked the organizers for presenting some of the valuable heritage left behind in Mongolian books and sutras written in many alphabets that trace back to the 13th century.
Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Dr. A.A.Maslov expressed that the initiatives and works being carried out for the preservation of books, publishing, and various art pieces will continue to be supported.