Archives: History of the Russian language via exhibits

14 June 2010
Source: Culture TV channel

An unique document of Peter the Great age, the Civil ABC book with personal corrections of the Russian Emperor, is presented at the special exposition in the Russian State Historical Archives dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the ABC book. It was open in the Archives Exhibition Hall with the support of D. Likhachev Foundation.

As noted A. Sokolov, the RSHA Director, at the exhibition grand opening ceremony, the introduction of the Civil ABC book became ‘a really revolutionary event with positive sign. 300 years have demonstrated that Peter’s innovation gained a great benefit for Russia, - he outlined. The issue of the Civil ABC book contributed to the printing development in Russia and made books more accessible. The Emperor himself made corrections to the way of writing of some letters and crossed out unnecessary ones. As a result out of 57 letters of the Old Slavonic ABC book there were 31 left.

According to Yevgeny Anisimov, a historian from St. Petersburg, one of the most known researches of Peter the Great age, today this event seem extraordinary. ‘What Peter did three hundred years ago is still in use in Russia. As if he was a person of our century’, - said the scholar. Anisimov called the Russian alphabet one of the most eminent monuments of the modern written language which ‘will be alive until there are people who think and speak Russian language’.

Besides Peter’s ABC book the exposition highlights printed issues which used Church Slavonic type which preceded the appearance of the ABC book. The exposition also includes unique documents reflecting the history of book printing and the evolution of the civil type. Thus among the documents there are original imperial orders, including an order of Catherine I on establishment of the Academy of Science in 1725, an order of Catherine II ‘On free printing houses’ of 1793 which allowed to open private printing houses with typefounders.

Historical and documentary exposition in the Russian State Historical Archive will be open until June 21.