Welcoming speech of State Secretary of the Union State Pavel Borodin to participants of XXIII Moscow International Book Fair

Dear friends!

Dear friends!

Welcome to a wonderful book festival in Moscow!

For years Moscow exhibition has been gathering leading representatives of Russian and international book business, famous writers and, of course, true connoisseurs of interesting books. At the exhibition stands one can always find authors and readers engaged in lively dialogues, while publishers and printers from every corner of the world are holding their regular meetings here.

No doubt, this year the exhibition will also become a prominent display of the most significant achievements in professional publishing and media, an unforgettable event for all book lovers, whereas invariably eventful and varied programme of the exhibition will open up promising opportunities for cultural and business cooperation. All this will enable the event to continue to serve as a reliable guide to the modern book market.

Union State Standing Committee has always paid a great deal of attention to publishing activities. Therefore, it is pleasant to note that this year within the framework of Moscow International Book Fair one can visit a stand “Mass media and publishing projects of the Union State”.

I am happy that this year it is the Republic of Belarus that will become the Guest of Honor at such an impressive and large-scale international book forum. I am sure that numerous visitors of the fair will appreciate Belarusian printed products at their true value.

I am confident that this exhibition will not only familiarize all participants with new products of book industry, but will also further strengthening of economic ties between Belarusian and Russian publishers, which means expansion of readership in our countries.

I wish you every success, positive impressions and productive meetings.

Yours faithfully ,

P.Borodin