History of Book: “From Birch Bark to Paper. The Book in Old Rus’” exhibition runs in St. Petersburg

As a part of “Hermitage Days 2011” on December 8th 2011 the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is staging a new exhibition “From Birch Bark to Paper. The Book in Old Rus’”.

The exhibit continues the cooperative traditions of the State Hermitage Museum and museums of Russia, by showcasing exhibits which can be rarely seen in St. Petersburg.

The exposition turns the spotlight on the development of script in one of the largest medieval centers of Russia – Veliky Novgorod, from the earliest samples of written sources, birch bark documents and wax tablets, to manuscripts and old printed books. Manuscripts, richly-decorated parchment and paper codices let you discover the culture of book design and decoration, which was peculiar to Novgorod lands.