In Zainsk, schoolchildren were shown how it all started with birch bark.

      What did the first books look like in Rus? Fourth graders from Zainsk learned this on the eve of the Day of Slavic Writing. The interactive program "It All Started with Birch Bark" transported them to the world of ancient manuscripts and parchment — and it all ended with the creation of their own mini-books.

      Today, books seem familiar to us, but once they were a true wonder. On the eve of the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture, an informational and educational program "It All Started with Birch Bark" took place at Zainsk School No. 4 for students of classes 4 "A" and 4 "B". Its goal was to tell children how the history of the Russian book began. The kids learned that in the 11th century in Rus, the main material for writing was birch bark. They made household notes on it, wrote letters, and even educational texts. In 1037, Yaroslav the Wise founded the first library at the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Books were then written with a goose quill on parchment, decorating each page with ornaments and miniatures. The schoolchildren listened with great interest about why handwritten tomes were considered treasures and how the work of scribes changed history.

      After the lecture, a quiz began. The young Zainsk residents actively answered questions, demonstrating excellent erudition. Many amazed the hosts with the speed and accuracy of their answers — the topic truly captivated them.

      The culmination was a master class on creating a book by hand. Armed with colored paper, scissors, and glue, the fourth graders, under the guidance of mentors, got to work. The kids asked questions, shared ideas, and helped each other. As a result, unique miniature books appeared on the tables — with covers, pages, and even invented content.

      The children proudly showcased their creations to their classmates. Such events not only familiarize students with history but also provide a tangible connection to the past. Perhaps for some of these kids, the birch bark manuscript became the first step towards a true love of reading.

      Photo by the author

      Yulia Kazamarova

      More news about the event:

      In Zainsk, schoolchildren were shown how it all started with birch bark

      What did the first books look like in Rus? Fourth graders from Zainsk learned this on the eve of the Day of Slavic Writing. 12:33 21.05.2026 Zainsk-inform - Zainsk

      In Zainsk, schoolchildren were shown how it all started with birch bark

      What did the first books look like in Rus? Fourth graders from Zainsk learned this on the eve of the Day of Slavic Writing. 12:21 21.05.2026 News of Zainsk - Zainsk

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      From signs to letters, from birch bark to pages

      Writing is a true treasure that humanity has mastered. The emergence of the alphabet in Rus was an important stage in the development of writing, 13:46 19.05.2026 Bryansk Teacher's Newspaper - Bryansk