OREANDA-NEWS. April 06, 2010. The Russia-Belarus Rumyantsev Readings will be held in Gomel on 6-7 April.

The event is arranged by the Russian State Library, Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble, Francisk Skorina Gomel State University and the Rumyantsev Association of the Oblast.

The readings are traditionally held on the eve of the birthday of the outstanding political leader and public figure of the Russian Empire Nikolai Rumyantsev. The program of the forthcoming forum features a conference “Nikolai Rumyantsev and multi-ethnic problems of today”, a presentation of a book “Book culture of Russia in the 19th century. The epoch, destiny and heritage of Nikolai Rumyantsev” and a presentation and donation of an e-catalogue of a manuscript collection of Nikolai Rumyantsev to Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble by the Russian State Library.

Count Nikolai Rumyantsev ruled over Gomel for almost 30 years and made a great contribution to the development of the city. He arranged several expeditions to the remote areas of Belarus that helped preserve invaluable ancient Belarusian manuscripts. The library of the count became the basis for creating the Lenin State Library in Moscow.