Since 1936 the original of the most ancient manuscript of 'The Quran of Uthman', which became a property of the Russian state, has been kept in St. Petersburg branch of the Institute of Oriental Studies of The Russian Academy of Sciences.
Radiocarbon analysis of the manuscript held in Holland showed that this manuscript is not younger than the second century of Hegirae, i.e. it belongs to the VIII-IX centuries. Paleographic analysis says that the manuscript was drawn up in Arabia or North Syria. This is the most ancient and complete list; there are at about 5-7 lists in the world similar to it in volume. According to the orientalists point of view this is first list of the Quran from which all following copies were made.
Manuscript collection of the St. Petersburg Department of the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts is the largest in Russia and one of 2-3 largest and priceless collections of oriental manuscripts in the world. It includes funds in 65 live and dead languages, the largest of them are:
Abyssinian (Ethiopian), Arabic manuscripts, Armenian manuscripts, Georgian manuscripts, Jewish manuscripts, Indian manuscripts, Chinese manuscripts and wood-carvers, Korean manuscripts and wood-carvers, Kurd manuscripts, Manchurian manuscripts and wood-carvers, Mongolian manuscripts and wood-carvers, Persian and Tajik manuscripts, Sanskrit and Sogdian manuscripts, manuscripts in the Saxon and Tocharian languages, Turkic manuscripts, Thongho manuscripts and wood-carvers, Tibetan manuscripts and wood-carvers, Uigurian manuscripts, Japanese manuscripts and wood-carvers, printed in ancient way lithographs of books from India, Iran and countries of Near East.
Manuscript fund of the St. Petersburg Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy keeps more than 100 000 (one hundred thousand) items of manuscripts and old printed books. There is also an Achieves of orientalists with priceless documents on the history of the Russian science.
Nowadays the scientific profile of the St. Petersburg Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences is various fundamental research of ancient and medieval Orient, study of its history, philology, religion, philosophy, law (in contrast to the Moscow leading Institute of Oriental Studies which specializes in contemporaneity of countries and peoples of Asia, North Africa and Pacific region), study of unique manuscript funds and old printed books in Eastern languages, and putting into scientific circulation written monuments from the funds.
Besides manuscript fund the St. Petersburg Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences includes special library on oriental studies which counts more than 800 000 (eight hundred thousand) volumes. Books in languages of the former Soviet Union nations, especially of the thirties, are of great value.
Special place is taken by the Near East Department and Fund of oriental manuscripts and documents. The main direction of their work is study of history, culture, literature and religions of Near East. Within the framework of this direction the following subjects are being elaborated: textual study, coding, translation and description of the monuments of the Arabic literature, history of the Arab countries in Middle Ages (history of Caliphate and ancient Arabia), epigraphy, study of Islam, and history of science.
One more important aspect of the work is description, cataloguing and study of one of the most considerable collections of oriental manuscripts and old printed books in the world. The fund stuff makes scientific catalogues and manuscript alphabet lists, description of orientalists' Archives materials, publishing and translation of sources.
The only and exact copy of the most ancient Islamic manuscript dated to the 8th century 'The Quran of Uthman' is made of Au 999 gold at the Moscow Mint of the Ministry of Finance of Russia in 2006. “The Golden Quran” consists of 162 plates according to the number of pages of the original. It took the Moscow Mint a year and a half to make the golden copy.
The work of art of the highest possible museum quality; class of surface cleanliness-13 has no analogues in the world. This quality is reached by using special expensive equipment, specific processing techniques of intermediate products and hammered instruments, the last thing in coinage technology of the latest decades.
'The Golden Quran' letters have absolutely smooth surface; material thickness is 0,3 millimeters, an letters height is three times more. It is impossible to take or copy the work of art. 'The Golden Quran' is made in a single copy. A Quran page measures 14 x 10 centimeters and weighs some 75 grams. http://www.apollounion.info/the-golden-book/golden-copy
This project possesses an absolute culturological value first of all from the point of view of implementation way. There is an absolute accuracy in proportions, letters, spelling; smallest details, roughness’s and peculiarities of handwriting are taken into account. From this point of view today this project has no analogues in the world.
'A unique and aesthetically beautiful decision to cast golden pages with early Qur'anic type gives the Quran an eternal existence, allows it to be interesting and attractive and not violate basic principles of Islam. In the given case it is the most beautiful object of art made in the Islamic tradition. 'The Golden Quran' is the work of art which has no analogues in the world', say director of the State Hermitage Piotrovskiy M.B.
The big autumn display of a collection ‘The Golden Quran’ in 2010 will take place in USA and Canada. The IFAU is a trade show displays provider, is pleased to announce that the, will be holding two information seminars of ‘Golden Art’ during the summer and fall. These seminars will give a chance for visitors to familiarize with effective strategies and to study helpful presentation tips of ‘Golden Quran’.
The seminar ‘Golden Art’ will cover a lot of useful aspects and instructions. The first seminar will take a place at Canoga Park, California on June 15, 2010 at 11.00AM. The Arabic language version will be held in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2010 at 11:00 AM. Both seminars will be available for English and Russian speaking attendees.
For those who interested in registration can submit their application online by sending an email at info@apollounion.info.
IFAU initiates and organizes international programs of art exhibitions, publications, and educational activities to benefit the museum and scientist community, and enrich the public’s experience in understanding of different tradition of art and culture.
The Foundation’s philosophy that the health, well-being and growth of the region depend upon strong communities comprised of healthy, well-educated, skilled, culturally inspired and economically independent individuals and families.
This is solidarity in questions of culture, education, formation and scientific researches in sphere of intellectual property and copyrights, a people life in conditions of a varying world, preservations of the best traditions, necessity of strengthening of the international cooperation and development of partners’ attitudes.
The IFAU helps to support and recognize world achievements in areas of personnel, education, cultural, technological, intellectual, and industrial resources.
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