In 2015, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia celebrated the 1000th anniversary of repose of the baptiser and enlightener of Rus — the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Duke Vladimir. A number of church, public and state events were held to mark the date: monuments were unveiled, churches were laid and consecrated to honour the Great Duke, scientific conference were held and numerous editions and publications were released. Among them was a book-album — Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Duke Vladimir — prepared by Vladimir Lihodedov and Vladimir Peftiev. The book was based on illustrations from the authors’ collections and primarily featured old postcards and photos depicting Orthodox churches in times of St. Vladimir. Monuments, cities, avenues, streets and other establishments named after him were also represented. The edition also included a historical essay devoted to the Rus baptiser’s life and deeds, as well as his relics and all forms of veneration.
The beautifully designed and printed book is truly among the best editions devoted to the 1000th anniversary. Moreover, it’s a continuation of the book series published as part of the In Search of the Lost scientific-educational project — run jointly with the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper and the Zvyazda Publishing House.
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The beautifully designed and printed book is truly among the best editions devoted to the 1000th anniversary. Moreover, it’s a continuation of the book series published as part of the In Search of the Lost scientific-educational project — run jointly with the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper and the Zvyazda Publishing House.
The name of a historian, collector and deltiologist — Vladimir Lihodedov — is well known in Belarus much owing to his numerous publications and wonderful books. As part of the In Search of the Lost, he’s released several albums: St. Alexander Nevsky, The Year of 1812, Minsk: Time Travel, Tadeusz Kościuszko in Old Photos and Graphics, Synagogues, Stars of Motherland, Belarus Through Lenses of 1915-1918 German Soldier, Adam Mickiewicz and others. Mr. Lihodedov’s books have been presented at the US Congress Library, as well as book fairs in Frankfurt, Warsaw and Vilnius. The author has also organized several shows of postcards and photos devoted to late 19th-early 20th century Belarus.
Restless enthusiast Lihodedov proposes to establish a museum of printed and paper business, in Minsk and Vileika — to restore old printing tools able to republish editions of Frantsisk Skorina or Ivan Fiodorov and to print ancient etchings and engravings.
The historian has studied the publishing sphere — investigating documents containing information on technologies used for paper making and publishing. On the basis of engravings from the Skorina times, a printing tool has been made; matrixes and forms were cast, with texts from the Bible. The book was printed on hand-made flax paper — produced upon the ancient technology of scraping. Overall, seven copies of the Skorina Bible were produced on the restored tool (there are only several of them exist in the world — including one in Belarus). The book almost does not differ from its original. Actually, to produce a facsimile or reprinted copy is not a problem nowadays as the technological process is well developed; however, it’s truly a rare case when a book is restored upon an ancient technology.
Mr. Lihodedov plans to also print other editions released at Belarusian publishing houses in the 16th-17th century. Russia, Poland and Germany have already demonstrated interest in his project; Poles, in particular, are not against a possibility to restore the Zabludowski Gospel.
In 2006, Mr. Lihodedov received the ‘For Spiritual Revival’ Award while his colleagues and friend — Vladimir Peftiev — is mostly known among businessmen. He is a passionate collector, a local land researcher and a patron. Mr. Peftiev devotes much time to his hobby and is actually a follower of the best traditions of the famous business elite representatives.
Mr. Lihodedov and Mr. Peftiev work as a single artistic tandem for a long time already. They’ve jointly prepared and published The Chronology of 1812 War in Old Postcards and Graphics to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1812 War, while organizing a thematic exhibition and unveiling a monument to the 1812 victims not far from Vileika. The two men are united by common interests and hobbies. Importantly, they share a single love to the cultural heritage. We cannot but appreciate these restless authors’ efforts and wish them all possible luck in their noble activity.
Priest Gordey Shcheglov,
Professor at the Minsk Theological Academy
