Libraries and Society: The European Hanseatic Library in Tikhvin

Last weekend in the city of Tikhvin the VII Russian Hanseatic Days - the annual historical and cultural festival of the Union of Russian Hanseatic Cities were held.

The holiday started with a landmark event - the opening of the first and only European Hanseatic Library, the contribution to the creation of which was made by 73 cities from 11 European countries. At the time of the opening, the Hanseatic Library's fund included more than 500 publications. Then in the building of the sociocultural center "Teffi", where the new library was located, there was a general meeting of the Union of Russian Hanseatic cities, attended by representatives of all 13 cities that are now part of the Union.

At the meeting, it was about expanding the membership of the Union. Despite the restrictions established by the Charter of the Union of Russian Hanseatic Cities, only cities that are members of the International Hanseatic League of the New Times can be admitted to the Union and have proved their historical connection with the medieval Hansa. This year, the Union of the Russian Hansa was added with a new participant. In May in Veliky Novgorod the decision of the general meeting of the Union was adopted in an ancient Russian city, founded by the Novgorodians - Porkhov. The Union of Russian Hanseatic Cities supported the applications of Luga, Vyborg and Staraya Russa to join the international Hansa.

In 2019, Pskov will enter the rights of the capital of the XXXIX international Hanseatic Days, which will only take place for the second time in Russia. Simultaneously Pskov will conduct the IX Russian Hanseatic days.

Let us note that according to the decision adopted at the meeting, the next VIII Russian Hanseatic Days will be held in Vologda from June 29 to July 1, 2018.