National Library Opens Croatian Literature Corner

Momchil Rusev

Bulgarian National Library Director Krasimira Aleksandrova (left) and Jagoda Ille, Advisor for International Cooperation at the National and University Library in Zagreb (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

23.01.2024 14:24

(BTA)

A total of 73 books have been donated to the Sts Cyril and Methodius National Library (NLCM) by the National and University Library in Zagreb, Bulgarian National Library Director Krasimira Aleksandrova said on Tuesday during the official opening of the Croatian literature corner in the Library building.

It contains 14 of the donated books. Three editions related to the Croatian literary tradition were arranged in the building of the National Library for the opening of the corner. Among them is the primer "Tabla za dicu", printed by the Slovenian printer Primož Trubar in 1561. It is the earliest Glagolitic book in the collections of the National Library and is the earliest Slavic primer printed in a colloquial language, Croatian, she noted.

A liturgical book of the Catholic Church from 1688, which contains a basic set of prayers as well as hagiographies of saints, and a Croatian Glagolitic prayer book from the early 17th century can be seen in the Library.

“The opening of the literary corner is the result of our long and fruitful cooperation. Cooperation between two national libraries - of Bulgaria and Croatia. And this cooperation is not accidental. It is an expression of the centuries-old historical ties and cultural relations between Croatia and Bulgaria," Aleksandrova pointed out.

This is the 26th in a series of literature corners of different countries, part of an initiative of the National Library in Sofia. A Memorandum of Cooperation between the national libraries of Bulgaria and Croatia was signed during the opening.

"With the memorandum we aim to ensure long-term mutual cooperation," said Croatia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Jasna Ognjanovac.

“Today's opening of Croatia's literary corner and the signing of the memorandum is preceded by a diverse and rich cooperation between Bulgaria’s National Library and our library,” said Jagoda Ille, Advisor for International Cooperation at the National and University Library in Zagreb. She said that the titles displayed in the literature corner will be periodically replaced with new books.

/RY/