Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

The third Baku International Book Fair, which is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, started in Azerbaijan's capital on September 23.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev said the exhibition envisions holding up to 100 presentations and the participation of about 125 publishing houses from 25 countries, including those of Latvia, Romania, Belarus, Kuwait, Iran and Tajikistan.

"From now onward, the exhibition will be held twice a year," Garayev said. "It is the result of the international interest in the book business in Azerbaijan. It is necessary to conduct more such activities. During the week Azerbaijan will celebrate the book holiday. All of these events are dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev."

The first day of the exhibition is remarkable for the presentation of Russia's pavilion represented by the Federal Agency for the Press and Mass Communications, the country's Foundation for Socio-Economic and Intellectual Programs, the Association of Book Publishers of Russia, with the support of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan.

Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin and the head of the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation in Azerbaijan, Valentin Denisov, attended the opening of the pavilion.

The Russian delegation, represented by literary critic, writer Lev Anninsky, novelist, children's writer Valery Voskoboynikov, poetess Maria Vatutina, poet and novelist Yevgeny Rein and critic and publisher Nadezhda Rein, is in Baku to participate at the event.

Russian publishing houses presented a variety of books at the fair -- from children's books to technical and religious literature. The exhibition also features the "Russian Reporter" stand, which presents the works of the best Russian photographers.

The International Book Fair, which is being held in Baku on September 23-25, is organized by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.