Jean Borisovich Blankoff was an outstanding representative of the Russian diaspora in Europe — a scholar in the humanities, translator, and public figure who made a significant contribution to the preservation and promotion of Russian culture abroad. Living in Brussels, he became one of the spiritual centers of the Russian community in Belgium, bringing together intellectuals, scholars, and cultural figures.

He visited Russia many times and took part in the Novgorod Archaeological Expedition, contributing to the study of ancient Russian culture.

As a researcher and advocate of Russian heritage, Jean Borisovich emphasized the universal significance of Old Russian monuments of architecture, literature, and art. He gained particular recognition for his brilliant French translation of The Tale of Igor’s Campaign, distinguished by its depth of understanding and poetic mastery. For this achievement, he was awarded the Pushkin Medal, one of Russia’s highest cultural honors.

The collection donated to the library comprises a wide range of publications united by a common cultural and historical focus. Its structure reflects Blankoff’s interest in regional studies, the history of the Russian Far East, local lore, cultural studies, philology, as well as fiction and rare exhibition catalogues. This collection has high potential for both educational and research purposes.