The Moscow International Book Fair’s (MIBF) motto is “books serve peace and progress” and accordingly, almost 2,800 publishers, librarians, educators and representatives of cultural centers from more than 80 countries are expected this year.
Moscow International Book Fair Events
The fair is organized by the General Directorate of International Book Exhibitions and Fairs (IBEF) that has put together again a range of events for the general public as well as publishing professionals. Some of the highlights are:
- the 11th national “Book of the Year” awards
- the “Image of the Book” award ceremony honoring Russia’s leading book illustrator
- a round table on “translators – cultural explorers”
- panel discussions on new technologies in book production
- “meet the author” events with Russian and international writers
Guest of Honor at MIBF 2009: India
India will be the guest of honor at this year’s Moscow International Book Fair. The National Book Trust of India and the Indian Embassy will jointly organize the Indian publishers’ group pavilion. Some of the special events planned are the following:
- events focusing on children’s literature and encouraging reading in families,
- Russian and Indian author meets,
- events focusing on regional literature,
- literature in translation: Indian authors will meet their Russian translators and vice versa,
- seminars for women writers,
- specialized seminars on STM books and philosophy and religion titles,
- an exhibition by book illustrators,
- special events on Indian cinema,
- concerts
Moscow International Book Fair Tickets and Location
The book fair will be held at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, Pavilion 75, which has been newly built to accommodate the growing fair.
Ticket prices will be the same as last year and one- and two-day passes will be available. The fair is free for publishing students, children under 10, the disabled and war veterans. Discounts are available for senior citizens.
Russian Fair of Educational and Children’s Literature
Chitai-ka, the 5th Russian Fair of Educational and Children’s Literature, will be held parallel with the International Book Fair. On display will be:
- textbooks and teaching aids,
- scientific books and journals,
- reference books and encyclopedias,
- foreign-language educational literature and fiction,
- multimedia publications,
- toys
Praise for Russia’s Largest International Book Fair
The Moscow International Book Fair, now in its 22nd year, has come a long way since its inception in 1988. It has not only grown in size and scope, it has also manifested its position as an important gateway for literature from east and west.
The national newspaper Delovaya Kniga commended last year’s fair: “Moscow International Book Fair… has turned to be, probably, the culmination in the history of MIBF over the last decade. Never before it has gathered so many visitors and participants. Never before, within its framework, have been arranged so many events. As to the attention of the mass media, political leaders and literary beau monde, since long no book events have caused a similar hullabaloo.”
Regardless if attending as a publishing professional or simply a book enthusiast, MIBF 2009 will offer something for everyone among the many educational, literary, professional and entertaining events.
More information can be found on the fair’s official website. Readers interested in MIBF may also not want to miss the upcoming World eBook Fair, the ALA 2009 Annual Conference or the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Simone Preuss - Simone is a freelance writer, editor and translator who decided to go solo after a successful career in publishing. That was more than ...
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