MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Ancient Slavonic Manuscripts from the 13th to the 16th centuries
REF No. 2004-37
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1.
SUMMARY
The oldest Slavonic manuscripts (dating from the 13th to 16th centuries) housed in the St Kliment
Ohridski National and University Library, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, are of
universal interest, which is why they are being proposed for inscription on the Memory of the
World Register. These manuscripts are evidence of the existence of the region’s cultural and literary
identity.
2.
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organization)
St Kliment Ohridski National and University Library
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
The manuscripts are preserved in the St Kliment Ohridski National and University Library.
2.3
Contact person(s)
Mr Borko ZAFIROVSKI, Director
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
Bul. Goce Delcev, 6
1000 Skopje
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Tel.: ++389 2 226846
Fax: ++389 2 226846
Email: kliment@ubsk.edu.mk
3.
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
3.1 These ancient manuscripts are preserved, archived and held in the St Kliment Ohridski
National and University Library:
1.
Fragment of the Posen Triod, 1 folio, parchment, 13th century;
2.
Cetvoroevangelie of Vutok, parchment, 13th-14th centuries;
3.
Cetvoroevangelie of Kratovo, 151 folios, parchment, 14th century;
–2–
4.
Cetvoroevangelie of Bence with miniatures, 360 folios, early 16th century;
5.
Cetvoroevangelie of Zrzevsko, 228 folios, late 16th century.
3.2 The manuscripts were discovered in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and are
preserved at the National Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration at the National and
University Library.
The images of these manuscripts and related bibliographic data (description) are recorded on a
CD-ROM. Along with other manuscripts in the collection belonging to the National and University
Library, they may be consulted on the Library website: www.nubsk.edu.mk.
Professor Vladimir MOSIN
Institute of Ancient Slavonic Culture
Tanas VRAZINOVSKI, Director
Prilep
4.
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Is authenticity established? (see 4.2.3)
The authenticity of the manuscripts is based on a fully established knowledge of their provenance
and on their examination by experts which has confirmed it.
4.2
Is world significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability established? (see 4.2.4)
These original handwritten manuscripts are evidence of the region’s cultural and literary identity. It
was with the foundation of the first Slavic university in the ninth century in Ohrid that culture and
learning began to spread in monasteries and scriptoria, which explains the religious content and
character of the manuscripts, written for the needs of church services.
4.3
Is one or more of the criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme
(e) form and style satisfied? (see 4.2.5)
4.4
Are there issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management that relate to this
nomination? (see 4.2.6)
5.
LEGAL INFORMATION
5.1
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
St Kliment Ohridski National and University Library, Skopje, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
5.2
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
5.3
Legal status:
(a)
Category of ownership
–3–
(b)
Accessibility
The originals may be displayed in secure conditions.
They may be consulted in the form of microfilms and digitized.
(c)
Copyright status
(d)
Responsible administration
Manuscript collection of the St Kliment Ohridski National and University Library
Ms Violeta Martinovska, contact person
Tel.: ++389 2 3115177, 136
Email: vikimmk@yahoo.com
(e)
Other factors
6.
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage?
The Library has established the following management plan:
7.
–
verification of the condition of the manuscripts;
–
verification of the storage locations and conditions of the manuscripts;
–
conservation, if necessary, by experts working at the Laboratory for Heritage
Conservation and Restoration in the Library, which is the national centre for the
conservation and restoration of documents, books and other materials.
CONSULTATION
7.1 Provide details of consultation about this nomination with (a) the owner of the heritage
St Kliment Ohridski National and University Library (b) Custodian (c) National or regional
Memory of the World committee: National Commission for UNESCO
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
8.1 The manuscripts are in a poor state. They show signs of biological and mechanical damage.
Parts have been torn and stained by water and other substances. In most cases the paper has lost its
elasticity and shape but, to a large extent, the text has been preserved. Bindings, where they exist,
are well preserved but they too have suffered mechanical and biological damage.
1.
Fragment of the Posen Triod, 1 folio, parchment, 13th century
2.
Cetvoroevangelie of Vutok, parchment, 13th-14th centuries
–4–
9.
3.
Cetvoroevangelie of Kratovo, 151 folios, parchment, 14th century
4.
Cetvoroevangelie of Bence with miniatures, 360 folios, early 16th century
5.
Cetvoroevangelie of Zrzevsko, 228 folios, late 16th century
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
9.1
All five manuscripts are preserved at the National Laboratory; some are preserved in their
entirety, others not, since we have not been able to preserve the parchment in its entirety.
The manuscripts undergo dry and wet cleaning and neutralization.
Paper manuscripts are preserved manually, restoration paper being added to the folios to fill in gaps.
The parchment has been cleaned and its elasticity has been restored.
Some of the leather bindings have been restored while seriously damaged bindings have been
replaced by new ones similar to the originals.
National Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration
Zorica JAKOVLESKA-SPIROVSKA, Head of Laboratory
Tel.: ++389 2 3115177, 161
Email: zorica@ubsk.edu.mk
PART C – LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name)
Borko ZAFIROVSKI, Director
(Signature) ……………………… (Date) Skopje, 23 June 2004