Andrei Halias

Monument to Francysk Skaryna near the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/87/description">National Library of Belarus</a> in Minsk is one of the most important cultural landmarks of the capital, attracting attention from both tourists and locals. This majestic six-meter bronze statue, weighing over five tons, was created by the Belarusian sculptor Alexander Dranets. The process of creating and installing the monument spanned several decades, starting with Dranets’ victory in the competition in 1991 and culminating in the official unveiling in May 2006.

The history of the monument began in 1989 when a competition was announced to create a monument in honor of Francysk Skaryna — one of the most outstanding figures in Belarusian culture and the first East Slavic printer. Initially, it was planned to install the monument in front of the main building of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, but for various reasons, this decision was revised. When the construction of the National Library of Belarus was completed, a final decision was made to place the monument at its main entrance, a symbolic choice highlighting Skaryna's contribution to the development of printing and enlightenment.

The monument to Francysk Skaryna is a bronze figure holding a book in one hand and blessing the art of printing with the other. This symbolic depiction conveys the role Skaryna played in history as the founder of Belarusian and East Slavic printing. Three bronze reliefs were added to the sculpture, installed on a granite pedestal on three sides. These reliefs depict the cities closely connected with Skaryna's life and work: Polotsk, where he was born; Prague, where his publishing activities began; and Padua, where he received his education.

The official unveiling of the monument took place in May 2006, although the sculpture itself was installed in August 2005. The delay in the opening was due to the need to complete the reliefs, which depict key moments in Skaryna’s life and career. The fourth side of the pedestal is adorned with a bronze plaque bearing the inscription "Francysk Skaryna," emphasizing his importance in Belarusian history and culture.

Monument to Francysk Skaryna near the National Library of Belarus is not the only monument to the great educator in Minsk. Another monument was installed in the courtyard of Belarusian State University in 1999. Additionally, Skaryna monuments can be found in other Belarusian cities, such as Polotsk and Lida, as well as outside Belarus — in Prague and Vilnius. This underscores Francysk Skaryna’s significant contribution not only to Belarusian but also to European culture.

The monument at the National Library is not just a sculpture; it is a symbolic link between the past and the present, between historical heritage and modernity. Today, it attracts many tourists and visitors to the capital who want to learn more about the life and achievements of one of Belarus's most famous sons.

Francysk Skaryna, born in 1490 in Polotsk, made an invaluable contribution to the development of Belarusian and East Slavic culture. He received an excellent education, completing it in Padua, where he earned a doctorate in medicine. However, he gained the most fame as a printer, founding a printing house in Prague in 1517, where he published his first book, "Psalter." This publication was a significant milestone in the history of East Slavic printing, as it was printed in Cyrillic and in the vernacular, which was rare at the time.

Later, Francysk Skaryna moved to Vilnius, where he continued his publishing activities and opened the first printing house in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Despite numerous difficulties and persecutions, his works had a tremendous influence on the development of enlightenment and humanism in Eastern Europe.

Today, his legacy lives on in monuments, books, and streets named in his honor, and his work continues to inspire new generations. The Monument at the National Library of Belarus is a tribute and expression of gratitude to the great printer and educator, whose name will forever remain in the history of Belarus and East Slavic culture.

法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳纪念碑位于<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/87/description">白俄罗斯国家图书馆</a>旁，是首都最重要的文化地标之一，吸引着游客和当地居民的关注。这座宏伟的六米高青铜雕像，重达五吨以上，由白俄罗斯雕塑家亚历山大·德朗涅茨创作。纪念碑的创建和安装过程持续了几十年，始于1991年德朗涅茨在竞赛中的胜利，最终在2006年5月正式揭幕。

纪念碑的历史可以追溯到1989年，当时宣布了一项竞赛，旨在为法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳建立纪念碑——他是白俄罗斯文化中最杰出的人物之一，也是东斯拉夫地区的首位印刷工人。最初计划将纪念碑安装在白俄罗斯国家科学院主楼前，但由于各种原因，这一决定被重新考虑。当白俄罗斯国家图书馆建设完成后，最终决定将纪念碑放置在其主入口，这一象征性的选择突显了斯科里纳在印刷和启蒙事业中的贡献。

法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳纪念碑是一座手持书本、一手祝福印刷术的青铜雕像。这一象征性的形象传达了斯科里纳在历史中的角色，作为白俄罗斯和东斯拉夫印刷的创始人。雕像还配有三个青铜浮雕，分别安装在花岗岩底座的三面。这些浮雕展示了与斯科里纳生活和工作紧密相关的城市：波洛茨克，他的出生地；布拉格，他开始出版活动的地方；以及帕多瓦，他接受教育的地方。

纪念碑的正式揭幕是在2006年5月，尽管雕像本身在2005年8月就已安装完毕。揭幕的延迟是由于需要完成反映斯科里纳生活和职业生涯关键时刻的浮雕。底座的第四面装饰有铭文“法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳”的青铜牌，强调了他对白俄罗斯历史和文化的重要性。

法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳纪念碑位于白俄罗斯国家图书馆旁，并不是明斯克唯一的斯科里纳纪念碑。1999年，另一个纪念碑在白俄罗斯国立大学的庭院中竖立。此外，斯科里纳的纪念碑也可以在其他白俄罗斯城市如波洛茨克和利达，以及白俄罗斯境外的布拉格和维尔纽斯看到。这一事实强调了法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳不仅对白俄罗斯，也对欧洲文化的巨大贡献。

国家图书馆的纪念碑不仅仅是一座雕像，它是过去与现在、历史遗产与现代性之间的象征性联系。如今，这里吸引了众多游客和首都的来访者，他们希望更多地了解这位白俄罗斯最著名儿子的生活和成就。

法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳，1490年出生于波洛茨克，对白俄罗斯和东斯拉夫文化的发展作出了不可估量的贡献。他接受了卓越的教育，并在帕多瓦完成了学业，获得了医学博士学位。然而，他因印刷工人的身份而声名鹊起，1517年，他在布拉格创办了印刷厂，并出版了他的第一本书《诗篇》。这一出版物是东斯拉夫印刷史上的重要里程碑，因为它用西里尔字母印刷，并使用了当时罕见的民族语言。

后来，法兰齐斯克·斯科里纳迁居维尔纽斯，继续他的出版事业，并在立陶宛大公国境内开设了第一家印刷厂。尽管面临许多困难和迫害，他的作品对东欧启蒙运动和人文主义的发展产生了巨大的影响。

今天，他的遗产通过纪念碑、书籍和以他的名字命名的街道得以延续，他的工作继续激励着新一代人。白俄罗斯国家图书馆旁的纪念碑是对这位伟大印刷工人和启蒙者的敬意与感激之情，他的名字将永远铭刻在白俄罗斯和东斯拉夫文化的历史中。