Jolita Liškevičienė, (Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania)
The presentation focuses on a small printing house in Slutsk, founded by the nobleman Kazimieras Kristupas Klokockis (Pol. Kazimierz Krzysztof Kłokocki, ca. 1625-1685), who was also a client of the Radvila court. It takes a closer look at the phenomenon of an educated nobleman setting up a printing house for his own cultural needs, publishing mainly secular publications, responding to the needs of the city, and cooperating with the engravers of Vilnius and other towns. Klokockis was notable for his patronage. He accumulated a rich library, constantly took an interest in the world’s innovations and scientific advances, ordering for himself various physics instruments, etc. The publication of the work The Turkish Monarchy, translated from French into Polish at the Slutsk Printing House in 1678 was Klokockis’s greatest contribution to culture. After the death of Klokockis, his son, Jeronimas (1664-1721) inherited the library. After receiving a good education and becoming a Jesuit, Jeronimas followed in his father’s footsteps. He pursued his scientific and cultural interests, founding the Jesuit College in Slutsk and later serving as its rector. The books of father and son Klokockis formed the core of the library of the College of Sluck, some of which ended up in the University library in the early 19th century.