From February 18 to 21 of this year, the XXVIII International Book Fair with the slogan "the book unites humanity and countries"is being held in Minsk. More than twenty countries take an active part in the world-class book fair, one of which is the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

In a solemn atmosphere, the book exhibition was opened by Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov, Information Minister Igor Lutsky, Chairman of the Writers ' Union Nikolai Cherginets, Secretary of State Grigory Rapota, Special Representative of the President Mikhail Shvydkoi. The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by representatives of the CIS countries, the media.
 
"I would like to express my gratitude to the participants of the exhibition, writers, representatives of foreign embassies who share this joyful moment with us. Our book exhibition has been continuously held since its creation. The pandemic that scared the whole world this year also did not become an obstacle for us. We were looking forward to this exhibition to get acquainted with new books in the ranks of the Belarusian people and the world community," Ryzhenkov said.


After his speech, Maxim Ryzhenko read a special letter from the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko wishing success in the work of the exhibition. 

"This year has shown that the coronavirus infection does not look at borders. The book is the same, it knows no boundaries. Probably, there were a lot of things that we did not read books, as during the quarantine. Humanity constantly turns to the book in the most difficult, most difficult moments, because it is able to unite people in one direction, " Shvydkoi said.

Despite the fact that twenty countries take part in the Minsk International Book Fair, the broadcast in an online format has spread all over the world. 

The National State Book Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan also sent selected works of domestic publishers to the exhibition in Minsk. Today, the works of Kazakh writers are in the center of attention of the entire Universe on the Belarusian land. 
According to tradition, the international symposium "Writer and Time" ("Writer and Time") will be held within the framework of the Minsk International Book Fair. Due to the pandemic situation, this symposium will be held online this year. 

On behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the laureate of the Abai State Prize, poet Bakytzhan Kanapyanov will speak at the symposium.