MINSK, 8 February (BelTA) – In all times and ages, books have been a big help in life, First Deputy Head of Belarus' President Administration Maksim Ryzhenkov said at the opening ceremony of the 24th Minsk International Book Fair on 8 February, BelTA has learned.
“For some books are simply textbooks, for others they are a nice piece of furniture. But for many books have been a big help,” Maksim Ryzhenkov said. He read out the president's message on the occasion of the opening of the book fair.
For her part, Belarus Information Minister Lilia Ananich expressed the hope that the publishers who came to Minsk from over three dozen countries will make a significant contribution to the development of friendly, good neighborly relations and to the peace, which is the biggest asset out there. Lilia Ananich noted that it is important that the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing started in 2017 with the book fair, and then will continue with the events across the country and abroad.
The 24th edition of the Minsk International Book Fair is taking place on 8-12 February. Representatives of more than 30 countries are to taking part in the book forum (Belarus, Azerbaijan, the UK, Venezuela, Germany, Israel, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, South Korea, Cuba, Moldova, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Syria, Serbia, Slovakia, the United States, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador). Greece is taking part in the exhibition for the first time.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Guest of Honor at the 24th International Book Fair in Minsk. The program will be divided into three main sections: publishing business, the English language and education opportunities in the UK. Visitors will learn about the modern British literature, licensing and copyright law, learning and teaching the English language, British Council online resources, preparations for the IELTS exam, study grants in the UK, educational visas, journalism, translations.
The exhibition will include nearly 300 events. The events will celebrate 500 years of the Belarusian book printing, the 135th birthdays of Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas as well as anniversaries of Pimen Panchenko, Yanka Bryl and other out standing writers. The events will also include the awards ceremony of the national contest Art of the Book, the international literary symposium entitled Writer and Time. Winners of the contest of young writers Pershatsvet will be presented with awards at the forum for the first time.
