The library of the Belarusian State Academy of Music presents a thematic exhibition “This day in the history of the book”: 90 years since the release of the series of popular biographies “Life of Remarkable People” (April 20, 1933).

Among the many biographical publications of the world, the first place is rightfully occupied by series “Life of Remarkable People”. Over the years of the existence of the series, more than 1700 biographies of prominent figures of all countries and peoples have appeared. To date, the circulation of these books has exceeded 250 million copies, including translations into other languages. The famous book series was founded in 1890 by the famous publisher and educator Florenty Pavlenkov (1839-1900), published from 1890 to 1915. The 200-volume library “Life of Remarkable People” ran through 40 pre-revolutionary reprints with a total circulation of about 1.5 million copies. In 1916, Maxim Gorky decided to continue the biographical series of F.Pavlenkov. He intended to involve famous Russian and foreign writers, scientists and public figures in writing biographies. However, the events of 1917 and the Civil War prevented the implementation of this plan. And only in 1933 the book series was resumed.

In the prewar years, the biographical series “Life of Remarkable People” continued to be published continuously: 52 books were published in 1937-1940s. Since then, this publication has never been interrupted again, even during the harsh years of World War II, when the series was transformed into a modestly designed series of brochures “Great Figures of the Russian People”, which could be put in an overcoat pocket.

In 1962, a cover project appeared with a portrait of the “hero” of the book and an image of a torch, made according to a drawing by the artist Yu.Arndt. In the “Pavlenkovskaya” series “Life of Remarkable People” lifetime biographies were published, in the series “Life of Remarkable People” continued by Maxim Gorky, they told only about the departed people. Since 2005, the publishing house began to release a new series – about contemporaries, whose activities are still ongoing; the first such honor was awarded to the governor of the Moscow region Boris Gromov.

The content of the vast majority of books in the series “Life of Remarkable People” meets three main principles proclaimed by the editors back in the 1950s: scientific authenticity, high literary level and entertaining content.

The exhibition presents biographies of great people from the series “Life of Remarkable People”, who have achieved world recognition in history, science, literature and art. The exposition of the exhibition is located in the educational building No. 1 (30 Internatsionalnaya Street, office 140) from June 1 to August 30, 2023.