MINSK, 13 February (BelTA) – Neatly 55,000 guests visited the 24th edition of the Minsk International Book Fair which ran in the Belarusian capital from 8 to 12 February, Belarus' First Deputy Information Minister Igor Lutsky said at the closing ceremony on 12 February, BelTA has learned.
A total of 320 participants, including 105 foreign guests, showcased their best publishing products. Taking part in the 24th Minsk International Book Fair were representatives from 31 countries. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was the Guest of Honor. Serbia will be the Guest of Honor at the book forum in 2018.
According to Igor Lutsky, the exhibition included nearly 300 events, which highlighted 500 years of the Belarusian book printing, the 135th birthdays of Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, anniversaries of Pimen Panchenko, Yanka Bryl, and other outstanding writers. Events marking 500 years of the Belarusian book printing will be held throughout the year and culminate with the Day of Belarusian Literature in Polotsk.
The expo also played host to the awards ceremony of the winners of the national contest Art of the Book and the competition among young writers Pershatsvet, and also the 3rd international literary symposium Writer and Time.
The first deputy minister added that Belarusian books will be next displayed at the book expo in Vilnius.
The 24th Minsk International Book Fair was held at the national exhibition center BelExpo (14 Pobeditelei Avenue). The forum was organized by the Belarusian Information Ministry, Minsk City Hall, and the bookselling companies Belkniga and Makbel.
