Warm response to Belarus Bible exhibitions
MINSK, Belarus — Students, teachers and academics have responded warmly to Bible exhibitions organised in libraries and scientific and academic institutions by the Bible Society in the Republic of Belarus. ChernobylThe Bible Society has already provided Scriptures for libraries in areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster (see World Report 368), and now it wants to draw people’s attention to the Bible, its influence on history and its relevance to modern-day life. The exhibitions present a variety of Scripture editions, biblical reference books and encyclopaedic editions of the Bible, as well as quotes from famous people about the Bible. Historical contextPeople visiting the exhibition at the Belarusian Academy of Science have included historians, philologists and archaeologists, who have shown particular interest in the range of biblical reference books. One history student commented on the great variety of books, themes and designs in the exhibition and added that he was “especially interested in the Bible Encyclopaedia, which helps us to understand the historical context of the Bible.” Exhibition venues currently include the national library in Minsk, the Institute of Modern Knowledge and the Vitebsk State University. The Society has also been asked to organise a Bible exhibition at an institute involved in the retraining of teachers and educational administrators. Two-week courses for 200 people at a time run there throughout the year, and the Society sees this as an ideal opportunity to promote the Bible among large numbers of educators who may then pass on their knowledge to students. All the exhibition items have been donated by the Bible Society for the permanent collections of the libraries and institutions in which they are displayed. (WR 376/24 - 4/5.03)
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