Хилендарската научна библиотека и България –40 години сътрудничество
The Hilandar Research Library and Bulgaria: 40 Years of Cooperation

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses and analyzes the forty-year history of cooperation between Bulgarian scholars and the Hilandar Research Project (HRP) at The Ohio State University (1969-1984) and administrative units that evolved from the HRP: the Hilandar Room, 1978-1984, Hilandar Research Library (HRL), 1984-, and the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies (RCMSS), 1984–. Access to medieval Slavic Cyrillic manuscripts (via microfilm copies at the HR/HRL) provided the primary reason for the interest, which was reflected in exchanges, research visits, donated materials of books and copies of microfilms, and the signing of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.The analysis is based on data from the extensive archives of the HRL and RCMSS. Limiting the analysis to Bulgaria, for example, shows that from 1988 to 2012, twenty-six research trips to the HRL were made that were in all but three cases supported through the “Hilandar Endowment” of RCMSS. The total amount of time spent at the HRL during these research trips was 200 weeks, during which the Bulgarian researchers examined 1046 microfilms of Slavic Cyrillic manuscripts, primarily those from Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. All but three of the research trips were made by female scholars, who, by monastic laws dating to the 10th century, are not allowed to set foot on Mount Athos to research the original manuscripts.Discussion of RCMSS/HRL activities and impact on Bulgarian scholarship, as well as recent changes to assure continuing and enhanced opportunities for maintaining a cooperative relationship between the HRL/RCMSS and Bulgaria conclude the article.

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