The Centre of Oriental Literature of the Russian State Library invites everyone to attend their lectures devoted to diverse aspects of culture and art of Asian and Eastern states.

In October the sophisticated audience already had a chance to appreciate most gripping narratives about Jewish press in the Russian Empire, modern cinema of Eastern Asia alongside with lectures “World of Osman Empire” and “Code of Japanese Architecture”.

Some videos are available on the Russian online platforms. Speaking about latest of the published lectures, let us introduce the talk by historian, translator and teacher of Armenian Nune Mxitaryan “From the History of Armenian Book”. While viewing the book as an object of study and a certain artefact, it is also reported as a cultural phenomenon and a means of “conservation of history”. Ms Mxitaryan started her captivating discourse with the times of Alexander Macedonian and ancient Greece, first Armenian rulers and general traditions to arrange libraries and book collections. Which languages were first Armenian books created in? What is Mesrop Mashtocz’s Matenadaran famous for? Why is it better to study the history of the Armenian ancient times using sources written in Arabian or Greek? Who were the pandukhts and why were the first printed editions of the Armenian people published far beyond the national borders? What genre does the “Vanity Trap” belong to and what kind of book is it? Who are Akop the Sinner and deacon Avgar? Why is it often better to study the history of Armenian old rare books with a map – welcome to the lecture by the RSL invited expert, and you will learn much more than that!

The lecture can be watched over here.

Timetables for the coming lectures and other kinds of useful information concerning the cultural and educational activities of the RSL Centre of Oriental Literature are all available on its official Telegram channel.