President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev visits the National Library
On April 28, 2025, the President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev visited the Palace of the Commonwealth – one of the seats of the National Library of Poland. The visit began with a tour of the permanent exhibition, led by Dr. Maciej Szablewski, Head of the Department of Access to Collections.
The key point of the visit was the presentation of the Supraśl Codex (Codex Suprasliensis, also known as Retkov Sbornik) – one of the most important medieval relics of Slavic literary heritage, inscribed on the UNESCO World Written Heritage List. The Codex comes from the Zamość Estate Library.
In recognition of the key role of the National Library of Poland in preserving and promoting this priceless manuscript and on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of its discovery, President Radev presented the institution with a commemorative medal of Saints Cyril and Methodius. On behalf of the Director of the National Library of Poland, Dr. Tomasz Makowski, the medal was received by Dominik Cieszkowski, Deputy Director.
In his speech, President Radev emphasized the spiritual and cultural dimension of the Codex as a bridge between nations and expressed appreciation for Poland's efforts to protect and promote it internationally.
Also invited to the ceremony were representatives of the Supraśl Academy – Prof. Aleksander Naumov and Rev. Jarosław Jóźwik, who presented to the President of Bulgaria the activities undertaken as part of the Year of the Supraśl Codex, including translation of texts, publications, recording of a CD and implementation of commemorative projects.
The Supraśl Codex can be viewed at the Palace of the Commonwealth, which is open to visitors every day except Tuesdays, from 11 am to 7 pm.
