A unique document in Romania, an engraved copy of the US Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, from Philadelphia, printed in 1819, will be displayed at the Teleki-Bolyai Library in Targu Mures during Museums Night, marking 250 years since the signing of the document.

'The Teleki-Bolyai Library, as a partner of the Mures County Museum, is once again waiting for you at Museums Night this year as well! On May 23, from 18:00 until 2:00 in the morning, we await visitors with various programmes and new features in the library's museum spaces and upstairs under the arcades (...). Two hundred and fifty years ago, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was signed. Considered one of the most important documents in world history, it not only marked the birth of a new country independent from England, but, through the principles it formulated, may also be regarded as the foundation of modern democracy. The Teleki-Bolyai Library marks this anniversary by organising a mini-exhibition whose central element will be the 1819 ornamental copy of the Declaration of Independence. Alongside works presenting the era, writings that served as sources of inspiration for the Declaration, as well as works by authors who contributed to the creation of the document, will also be exhibited,' the Teleki-Bolyai Library wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

The exhibition 'The United States Declaration of Independence 250' will be arranged in the library's main hall, with Szidonia Karacsony serving as curator.

Librarians do not know exactly how and when this copy entered the Teleki collection, as it is listed neither in the fifth catalogue compiled by Samuel Teleki, the library's founder, nor among his manuscripts.

It is presumed that the document entered the library's holdings following an order placed by Samuel Teleki, though after his death in 1822.

Specialists at the Teleki-Bolyai Library said research carried out on the document revealed that the Declaration of Independence preserved in the Teleki collection bears the signature of John Binns in the lower corner of the sheet, while the copy lacks both the upper part containing the document's title and the lower section, as though they had been cut off.

According to the librarians, the upper central part of the document originally featured the American eagle carrying a shield, an olive branch, arrows and a ribbon inscribed with 'E Pluribus Unum'.

On either side of the eagle appeared the title Declaration of Independence, while the lower section contained the signature of Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, certifying that the text was a faithful copy of the original and that the signatures were identical to the originals.

The copy preserved in Targu Mures measures 786 mm by 610 mm, with the text and signatures surrounded by an oval frame decorated with medallions representing the seals of the 13 states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island and New Hampshire), as well as medallion portraits of John Hancock (president of the Congress that adopted the Declaration), George Washington (the first president of the United States) and Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence).

The lower part of the frame is also decorated with olive branches.

Besides the exhibition 'The United States Declaration of Independence 250', librarians have also prepared for Museums Night the exhibition '...the country is enlightened! Books of the Reform Era'.

The second exhibition presents the period of Hungarian reforms, highlighting major themes - from economic policy to language reform and the organisation of scientific life - which, during the two decades of that era, under the banner of bourgeois national modernisation, shaped the aspirations of public life leaders in the Kingdom of Hungary and the Principality of Transylvania.

The curator of the exhibition '...the country is enlightened! Books of the Reform Era' is Laszlo Lorant, who will offer guided tours in Romanian beginning at 19:00.

Visitors to Museums Night will also be able to explore the library's two permanent exhibitions: the book collection of Count Samuel Teleki in the library's main hall and the Bolyai memorial room.

''After visiting the exhibitions, visitors are invited once again this year to take part in a series of interactive activities. A traditional quiz game will challenge participants to answer questions related to the exhibitions for a chance to win a voucher for Gemma Book Cafe. Visitors may also form teams and join the Kahoot game organised every hour, with Sunny Moments vouchers offered as prizes. A photo corner will allow guests to choose their own background and take home a personalised souvenir from Museums Night at the Teleki Library. Children are also invited to enjoy puzzle games and dress-up activities inspired by Reform Era fashion,' the Teleki-Bolyai Library concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dorina Matis; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)