BNTU holds Biblionight
On April 24, 2015 BNTU Scientific Library has taken part in Biblionight-2015, a large-scale event promoting books and reading and uniting over 1200 libraries in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
Bibilionight challenges all the widespread stereotypes presenting a library as a gloomy home of freaky rigorous rules and deathly hush. On this night libraries turn into vibrant artistic venues offering a huge array of amusing activities. Besides, they usually work all through the night, so that the visitors can enjoy the warm informal atmosphere to the fullest.
Judging by the flood of enthusiastic young people arriving to the BNTU Scientific Library, The Event of the kind was long-expected. No doubt that the organizers have made impressive efforts to live up to the visitors’ expectations.
Biblionight at the BNTU Scientific Library has comprised several events taking place simultaneously at different library halls.
A spacious hall decorated with fancy mural paintings has become a movie theatre showing films that participated in Cinema Perpetuum Mobile, an international short film festival. The organizers have replaced the dull rows of chairs typical of traditional movie theatres by cozy cushions and bag chairs, so the visitors could watch first-class films in a relaxing atmosphere.
The most intriguing and unusual Biblionight event, Live Quest Lock Up, has sneaked into reading halls for scientists, the holy of the holies of the Library. Most daring young people locked up in the solemn halls have had to discover quaint hiding places and unravel intricate riddles to make their way out. For the participants, Lock Up has become a great intellectual test and a fabulous adventure to be remembered.
Another peculiar event, Living Book, has turned out to be a howling success. The event featured remarkable people with unusual or complex life stories, who have shared their experience with the visitors. All in all, over 10 persons have been so kind to take part in the Event and bare their hearts. Such events are extremely significant for young people seeking advice on life’s crossroads.
Besides, the visitors could play board games under the guidance of experienced members of the 2 Owls Club and listen to the popular science lecture on smells and tastes and the mysterious ways they are produced.
Biblionight has culminated in a spectacular feast involving young Belarusian rock bands and musicians (Anna Zemal, HURMA, Alyona Vorona, etc.) and the performers of Flamen Fire Theatre, who have presented a bright fire-show illuminating the spring night.
The events of the kind vividly demonstrate that libraries are rapidly adapting to the needs and challenges of the 21st century. They successfully embrace new approaches and technologies seeking to develop a clear vision of a modern library. Besides, such events serve a bigger cause. They bring very different people together to share an extremely positive experience and establish personal contacts, one of the most valuable things in the world.
The BNTU Scientific Library is very grateful to all the people who have made the Biblionight possible.