During a scientific expedition to Omsk (Russian
Federation), productive research was conducted at the Historical Archive of the
Omsk Region, and further investigations were carried out at the A.S. Pushkin Omsk
Regional Scientific Library. A rare opportunity also arose to visit the only
"Miniature Book Museum" in Siberia, where the smallest book in the
world is housed—a masterpiece by craftsman A.N. Konenko, which is officially
recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. The museum offers an
interactive tour titled “The Infinite World of Tiny Books,” which includes a
workshop on “Creating a Miniature Book.” Every visitor is welcome to try their
hand at making a miniature copy themselves.
The museum showcases an impressive collection of
micro-miniature books crafted from wood, leather, birch bark, papyrus, and
stone; international literary works; miniature facsimiles from Pushkin’s era;
and artistic book design masterpieces. Among the oldest items is the Polish Poetry Anthology published in 1833. Of particular
admiration is a miniature edition of the Qur’an printed in the mid-19th century that fits into a
matchbox. These exhibitions reflect the deep care and reverence specialists in
the book industry hold toward the written word.