MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) - The interest in the book is still there, Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said as he visited the Minsk International Book Fair on 18 February, BelTA has learned.
"Seeing how many people came to the exhibition today, we can rest assured that people's interest in the book has not faded away. It has bounced back after a time of fascination with e-books. In my opinion, paper books will never give way. This is the art of printers and illustrators," Roman Golovchenko said.
The prime minister got familiar with the books presented by the publishers of Belarus and other countries. Interesting and colorful children's books attracted his attention. Asked by journalists whether the state should support publishers of children's books, Roman Golovchenko said: "Absolutely. If we were guided solely by financial reasons, we would probably lose a whole layer of important literature of patriotic and aesthetic education, textbooks.Everybody would turn to commercial literature in pursuit of profit. As far as I know, book publishing in almost all countries is engaged, to varying degrees, in so-called public important projects. These are how things are in Europe too. I think it's normal. Moreover, we are not talking about any hefty sums. Many books simply cannot have circulations enough to provide full payback.. But we see beautiful books which are published in the Belarusian language with circulations of 1,000-1,500 copies. In this way, we make sure that there is a variety of literature for children."
The 28th edition of the Minsk International Book Fair kicked off at the exhibition center at 14 Pobeditelei Avenue on 18 February. The trade show has brought together 281 exhibitors from 20 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Venezuela, Palestine, Austria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Germany. This year the fair will work one hour longer: from 10.00 to 20.00 on 18-20 February and from 10.00 to 17.00 on 21 February.
In view with the current epidemiological situation, visitors will be asked to wear masks and observe social distancing.
Theaters, cinemas, and TV channels will be showing films and plays based on the works of famous writers of Belarus and other countries during the fair. A traditional “poetry bus” will be running from the Nemiga metro station to the exhibition center at 14 Pobeditelei Avenue. Everyone will be invited to take a free-of-charge ride and listen to the works of famous writers. The entry to the fair will also be free. The fair is expected to draw some 50,000 visitors.
