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Slavonic publications in Cyrillic script of the 15th century

Inscribed 1997

What is it

A collection of sixty-three exceptionally rare and early books printed in the Cyrillic script.

Why was it inscribed

This collection is of international significance and is of great importance to the cultural heritage of Slavonic nations. They represent the earliest books printed in Cyrillic, dating from the late 15th century.

Where is it

Russian State Library, Department of Rare Books, Moscow, Russia

This collection of early printed books in Cyrillic is the result of more than 50 years of research work by the specialists of the Russian State Library, who located and verified the authenticity of these rare books. The majority of the books are held in Russia, but others are scattered in libraries in many countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, France, UK, USA, Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Greece – and have never been seen altogether. The exceptional rarity of these publications and their fragility brought on by their age has necessitated limited access to them and has spurred on the project to have all of them available in digital form so that they can be widely studied. Another goal of selecting this collection is, in essence, the creation of a new cultural resource – a united digital collection of early printed books in Cyrillic which far surpasses the collection in any single library in the world.

These books are an important part of the cultural heritage of Slavic nations. The books predate those produced by the traditionally recognized father of Russian book printing, Ivan Federov (c.1510–83), by 70 years and mark an important landmark in the early period of book printing. The collection includes the first book printed in Cyrillic, the Oktoih, a liturgical book of the Orthodox Church, printed in Krakow in 1491. These Slavonic publications in Cyrillic script have exerted appreciable influence on the development of the Slavonic nations and helped Slavic peoples to reaffirm their national literary languages and to produce books with a cultural identity that is different from the early printed books of western Europe.

Pages from the earliest known printed book in Cyrillic, an Oktoih (Book of Psalms), printed in Krakow in 1491.