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Over 250 Belarusian books presented at Latvian Book Fair 2019
MINSK, 6 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian stand featured over 250 publications during the Latvian Book Fair, which took place in Riga on 1-3 March. The most popular books focused on folk art and folk lore, medicine and psychology. Books for children also met strong interest, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Information Minister Igor Buzovsky. He led the Belarusian delegation during the expo.
The official noted: “At every international book expo we not only promote Belarus but also gain new experience, determine economic strategies and plans for the printing industry, book publishing and distribution business. We also take note of what will help make Minsk book forums even more interesting.”
As part of the Latvian Book Fair one pavilion hosted two expositions: a book one and an educational one. “We should consider adopting the approach because it helped encourage a large number of youth to visit the fair,” Igor Buzovsky added.
Yelena Pavlova, Head of the Publishing and Printing Office of the Belarusian Information Ministry, was part of the delegation. She stressed that the fair in Riga had paid close attention to the youngest visitors. “All kinds of venues offered not only the latest books for children but also a puppet performance, workshops, games, and a zone of sand lamps. I think we should also offer more venues for children during Minsk book expos,” she added.
Apart from that, the Belarusian delegation was made familiar with the latest book publishing technologies. The delegation visited a publishing house in Jelgava where they saw advanced printing equipment. Igor Buzovsky said: “They update their printing technology every year because without it it is impossible to compete on the book market. If we don’t renew our equipment, we will be unable to compete on the European market at all. Those, who use cutting-edge technologies, will win. Staying up to date and professional is the key to success in book publishing.”
In his words, Belarusian book publishers made sure they are moving in the right direction as they change approaches to the distribution of books, printed products, periodicals, by renewing and coming up with new forms of delivery, including through smart newspaper vending kiosks and new shops. By the way, on 6 March OAO Belkniga Director General Alexander Vashkevich noted that the flagship bookstore Svetoch will be reopened in the European format on 30 April.
The 22nd Latvian Book Fair gathered about 100 exhibitors from eight countries: Latvia, Czechia, Lithuania, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Belarus, and Ukraine. As many as 102 cultural events were held during the forum, including 24 new-book celebrations. Over 150 meetings with authors were arranged. Some 16,400 people visited the fair over the course of three days.
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