Facsimous publications as a subject of material culture

Abstract

In recent decades, interest in facsimile publications attesting to the publications of scientists from leading museums and universities in Ukraine has increased. In particular, A. Andriutsa’s on facsimile editions of manuscripts of XII – XVI centuries in the collection of the National Museum of History of Ukraine, N. Globa’s on phototype, facsimile and reprint editions of T. Shevchenko's works in the collection of the Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine. This is information about facsimile editions from the funds of rare and valuable editions of the library of the Kyiv National University                             S. Baskakova and V. Vyhivska, who worked with good results on the project for the Day of Ukrainian Literature and Language. It considers facsimile editions of T. Shevchenko and                                    I. Kotlyarevsky. P. Nesterenko dedicated his research to the peculiarities of the external design of rare editions, including facsimile ones. The sixth volume of the Shevchenko encyclopedia by F. Sarana and A. Kalinchuk thoroughly covers phototype and facsimile editions of printed works and manuscripts of Shevchenko, as well as reprint editions of works and artistic heritage of Kobzar.

            The most famous facsimile editions of recent years, which have become notable phenomena in the book culture of Ukraine, are “Peresopnytsia Gospel” of “ADEF-Ukraine Publishing House”, “Royal Gospel” by Stanislav Gramatik of 1401, “The Gospel” of 1144.

            In 2009 the Kyiv publishing house “Gorobets” launched the program "Returning Cultural Heritage to Ukraine". To date, the Lutsk Gospel edition of the XIV century  published and the Lutsk Psalter of 1384, the Kholm Gospel of the XIII century, the Lavryshiv Gospel (Theodore's Servant) of the XIV century, the Vienna Octoichus of the XIII century, the Reims Gospel of the XI century, the Gertrude Prayer Book, or as it is called, the Trier of Trier – XI century, “Prince Volodymyr's Prayer Book” of the XIV century, the originals of which are outside Ukraine.        

In recent decades, the issue of returning to Ukraine in the form of facsimile editions of original manuscripts, which are the cultural heritage of different countries, has intensified. Previously inaccessible Ukrainian manuscripts, which are now stored in Austria, Belarus, Italy, Poland, Russia, France, USA and other countries, are now available to all who want to thoroughly study the most valuable monuments of national culture, understand their value in covering historical processes. This is due to the active civic position of the director of the Kyiv publishing house “Gorobets” Hanna Gorobets. Within the framework of the project “Returning Cultural Heritage to Ukraine” she managed to find originals and create facsimile editions of eight books, which she presents in Kyiv and other cities and donates to the leading libraries of Ukraine. The publication of facsimile publications with thorough research has created a significant basis for further long-term research on the history of manuscripts, national culture, with its impact on the spirituality of society, its cultural potential.