Russia celebrates Biblionight

MOSCOW, April 20 (UPI) -- The Russian State Library opened its archives to visitors as it stayed open for Biblionight.

The library was one of about 700 that participated this year, The Voice of Russia reported. Galleries and bookstores also remained open Friday until sunrise Saturday.

The state library, formerly named the Lenin Library after Vladimir Lenin, who led the Soviet Union until his death in 1924, allowed visitors into storerooms and manuscript rooms. Like other libraries, it also held readings and lectures.