"The Great Soviet Encyclopedia" is a large academic publication that has become a true symbol of the culture of the Soviet era. In its scope and depth of knowledge, this encyclopedia was a huge achievement of Soviet science and culture. The publication consisted of numerous volumes covering all areas of knowledge - from history and geography to science and technology. The uniqueness of the "Great Soviet Encyclopedia" was that it combined a wide volume of factual information with a high scientific level. It contained descriptions of more than 100,000 articles, illustrations, diagrams and tables, making it an extremely valuable source of knowledge. The "Great Soviet Encyclopedia" became not only a reference book for the general public, but also an important source of information for scientists, teachers and students. Its importance in the cultural and scientific life of the Soviet Union is difficult to overestimate, and until now this encyclopedia remains a source of valuable knowledge for historians, researchers and all connoisseurs of the culture of the last century.