The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus developed a project for the first Belarusian encyclopaedic website (belarusenc.by) under the Belarusian Encyclopaedia name. In 2021, for its creation and work, the Encyclopaedic Publications Centre (EPC) was organised within the structure of the Academy.
In fact, the Belarusian Encyclopaedia website is a multi-volume regional national encyclopaedia of international level.
The high potential of domestic academic science and the country’s scientific community are involved in the preparation of encyclopaedic content.
The electronic encyclopaedia is aimed at accumulating comprehensive, concise and accessible information about the past and present of Belarus, its nature, resources, economy, science, culture and social sphere, about people. It also comprises containing and expanding systematised scientifically verified knowledge, promoting the country’s achievements, showing its capabilities, place and role in the world civilisation, increasing its recognition and authority, and investment attractiveness.
The National Encyclopaedia is also meant to play an important role in preserving the country’s information sovereignty, satisfy the sharply increasing demand for accurate and reliable information that can serve as support in various studies, constructions, and decision-making.
This free electronic encyclopaedia is generally accessible in its essence, less exclusive, and aimed at a wider audience.
Unlike a printed encyclopaedia, an electronic one is unlimited in volume. Information is to be updated and supplemented taking into account scientific achievements.
The Belarusian electronic encyclopaedia is created on the traditions of domestic encyclopaedic culture which has absorbed modern world (European) and Russian methods and practices.
The texts of the electronic encyclopaedia are presented in Belarusian, Russian, and English.
In electronic format, the encyclopaedia is divided into blocks (sections) by topic.
The Belarusian Encyclopaedia is a unique project in terms of the information volume, number of specialists involved, and creation of opportunities for their interaction.
At the first stage, work on the topics ‘Belarus in World War II and the Great Patriotic War’ and ‘Nature’ is implemented. In the time following, work on other thematic sections (so far there are 10 of them) is to be continued.
The introductory volume to this multi-volume publication is the ‘Belarus’ thematic encyclopaedia.
The Project is funded by the state.
The EPC team expresses its gratitude to all the authors who have given their consent to publish their materials.