MINSK, 17 March (BelTA) – The printed book remains a symbol of life, knowledge, spirituality and cultural identity for the peoples of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev said during the opening of the 33rd Minsk International Book Fair on 17 March, BelTA has learned.
“The 33rd Minsk International Book Fair is vivid confirmation of the undeniable fact that, despite the development of digital technologies, the printed book still remains a symbol of life, knowledge, spirituality and cultural identity for the peoples of the CIS,” Sergei Lebedev said.
In his opinion, over the years the book fair has rightfully become one of the most significant and prominent events not only in Belarusian book publishing circles, but also on an international stage. Each year, leading publishing houses from various countries showcase their finest achievements at its venues. The fair traditionally features a diverse cultural program, meetings with writers, and introductions to the latest book releases.
“But this exhibition is special, as it is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In fact, the decision of the Interstate Council on Cooperation in Periodicals, Book Publishing, Distribution and Printing to designate the Commonwealth as the central exhibitor of this year’s fair serves as a prologue to an extensive series of events marking this anniversary,” Sergei Lebedev emphasized.
The CIS secretary general expressed sincere gratitude to the Belarusian Information Ministry for supporting this initiative, for its hospitality and the high level of preparation, as well as appreciation to diplomatic missions accredited in Belarus for their assistance in organizing the national expositions of CIS countries.
Sergei Lebedev noted that visitors will be able to attend presentations dedicated to CIS states, explore significant national publications, and view the complete collection of books from winners of the Art of Books competition. In addition to the 10 CIS member states, 13 other countries have presented their books. The largest stands, naturally, belong to Russia and Belarus. At every stand, you will find books in Russian, because the Russian language is what unites us.
“Currently, the world is experiencing a geopolitical rift. A transition is underway from a mono-American model to a multipolar world order. This transition, unfortunately, is accompanied by armed conflicts and blockades in various parts of the world. The heads of our states have to navigate these challenging times. Much attention is devoted to security issues, but we do not forget about strengthening cultural ties. This exhibition is a vivid example of that. It attests to the unbreakable friendship and cooperation among the peoples of the CIS countries, and their confidence in the course they have chosen,” Sergei Lebedev added.
In his view, major events such as the Minsk International Book Fair radiate powerful positive energy, focused on preserving and deepening the friendship between our peoples and fostering good neighborly relations between countries. As a cultural project, it promotes the advancement of printing, cooperation in publishing, and public engagement with a diverse array of literary works.
The CIS secretary general expressed confidence that the events of the fair would prove equally engaging for the general public and for book world professionals alike, and that numerous visitors would be able to fully appreciate the printed products on display.
Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik/BelTA
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