The XXIV Minsk International Book Fair opens today, BELTA was informed by the Ministry of Information of Belarus.
Representatives of 31 countries will take part in the XXIV Minsk International Book Fair, which will be held from February 8 to 12. Among the participating countries are Belarus, Azerbaijan, Great Britain, Venezuela, Germany, Israel, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, the Republic of Korea, Cuba, Moldova, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Syria, Serbia, Slovakia, the USA, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador. Greece will participate in the exhibition for the first time.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be the guest of honour at the exhibition. The event programme will include three main themes: the publishing business, English language learning, and educational opportunities in the UK. Visitors will be able to learn more about contemporary British literature, licensing and copyright, teaching and learning English, British Council online resources, preparation for the IELTS exam, scholarships for studying in the UK, obtaining a student visa, journalism, and translation.
Presentations are planned at the UK stand: English language schools, British universities, business education opportunities in Minsk, translations of British literature into Belarusian, as well as Belarusian literature into English. In addition, the exhibition will feature a presentation of the Francysk Skaryna Library in London, and a representative of the library will talk about its work.
In different years, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Armenia, and others were guests of honour at the Minsk book fair.
Around 300 events will be held during the exhibition. Topics such as the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing, the 135th anniversary of the birth of Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, and jubilee dates of Pimen Panchenko, Yanka Bryl, and other writers will be reflected.
Among the events is the award ceremony for the winners of the national competition "The Art of the Book". The international symposium of writers "The Writer and Time" will traditionally be held. This year marks the third symposium, dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Belarusian printing (to be held on February 8-9). In addition, for the first time, the winners of the "Persvetsvet" competition for young writers will be awarded.
The XXIV Minsk International Book Fair will be held at the administrative complex at 14 Pobediteley Avenue. The exhibition is organized by the Ministry of Information of Belarus, with co-organizers being the Minsk City Executive Committee, Belkniga OJSC, and Makbel PC LLC. Admission to the exhibition is free.