Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – The Skaryna Readings have become a milestone event in the cultural and scientific life of not only the Belarusian capital, but also far beyond its borders, Belarus’ First Deputy Information Minister Igor Lutsky said when speaking at the opening of the 2^nd international forum Skaryna Readings 2016: Book as a Phenomenon of Culture, Art and Technology on 6 September, BelTA has learned.

“The importance of such events is determined by many factors. The fact that today’s forum has chosen a book as its main theme speaks volumes,” Igor Lutsky said.

The Skaryna Readings will also pay close attention to the Belarusian classics such as Maxim Bogdanovich and Vladimir Korotkevich. This year will mark a number of birthdays of Belarusian writers.

The First Deputy Information Minister emphasized the importance of popularizing book reading among children. “It is essential to remember about the children’s literature. Young readers today are a guarantee of tomorrow’s demand for books. Once you discover the world of literary heroes, you will always want to return to it,” Igor Lutsky said.

The First Deputy Information Minister underlined the need for common efforts to foster love for books and reading culture. It is no coincidence that one of the themes of the Skaryna Readings is screen culture and poor reading experiences of teenagers.

According to Igor Lutsky, in 2017 Belarus will mark the 500^th anniversary of the Belarusian book printing. “In 2017 we will celebrate the 500^th anniversary of this highly important event in the history of the East-Slavonic nations and book printing in general. The preparations for the celebrations are in full swing. This year the 500^th anniversary of book printing made big part of the Belarusian Literature Day celebrations in Rogachev,” said Igor Lutsky.

Igor Lutsky added that the book and the national book-publishing industry is one of the priority areas in the country’s cultural sector.

The 2^nd international forum Skaryna Readings 2016: Book as a Phenomenon of Culture, Art and Technology is running at the Belarusian State Technological University on 6-7 September. The forum aims to accumulate the achievements in book printing and book distribution amid the globalization of the intercultural communication of the 21^st century.