MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – The Chinese exposition at the 22nd Minsk International Book Fair features over 5,000 editions, Deputy Director (copyright) of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China Yan Xiaohong said at the opening of the book fair on 11 February, BelTA has learned.
The Chinese delegation includes about 80 people. “We have come to the beautiful city of Minsk; we are meeting with many Belarusian writers and publishers and we are very happy and proud of it. This event is a great experience for all the members of the Chinese delegation. We hope that we will be able to show the best literary works to our readers,” Yan Xiaohong said.
He expressed hope that the event “will give a boost to the bilateral cooperation between China and Belarus”.
Deputy Mayor of Minsk Igor Karpenko noted: “We are very glad that Minsk is hosting such a big and popular book forum. This time the forum is taking place in the Year of the Youth and the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. Promotion of reading and book publishing has always been among the priorities of the state. Despite the increasing popularity of technologies and mass media, books remain a vital source of education, they teach us to be good and provide moral guidelines and bring the best in people,” he noted.
According to Igor Karpenko, Belarusian publications cover a broad range of themes and cut across a diversity of genres. The works of both literary classics and contemporary writers are available in bookstores. “I am convinced that this exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to share the best practices, establish close contacts, demonstrate achievements and present book novelties. Every year the geography of the forum is expanding and the number of participants is getting bigger. This means that we have things to discuss and things to strive for,” Igor Karpenko noted.