The XII Red Square Book Festival has started its work in Moscow

The grand opening of the twelfth Red Square Book Festival took place on the "Main Stage" at St. Basil's Cathedral. The ceremony was attended by Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Red Square Festival, 1st Secretary of the Writers' Union of Russia; Sergey Naryshkin, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Support of Literature, Book Publishing and Reading in the Russian Federation; Sergey Stepashin, President of the Russian Book Union.

Vladimir Medinsky conveyed the welcome speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the participants and guests of the Festival. "Over the years, the Red Square Festival has become one of the most vibrant, large-scale and anticipated events in the cultural life of our country. It is rightfully famous for its welcoming and welcoming atmosphere. You gather famous and young authors, experts in library and publishing, and fans of literature of all genres and trends. It is gratifying that, thanks to the Russian Writers' Union, the process of consolidating the best writing forces is intensifying and making it possible to better reflect the cultural wealth of our country. In the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the festival becomes a celebration of literature, but also a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the richest palette of publications in the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation. Without a doubt, the native language and literature are the basis of national identity, they play a huge educational, creative, consolidating role. Therefore, I hope that the Festival will serve to preserve our cultural diversity, preserve and enhance the unique traditions of Russian literature. I wish you all inspiration and good impressions," the message says.

Sergey Naryshkin noted that he remembers well how the idea of holding the Red Square Book Festival originated. "Then, in the year declared by the President of Russia as the Year of Literature, it was simply difficult to imagine how significant a place this holiday could occupy in Russian culture. Years have passed, and the festival has become a real platform, a showcase of the strengths and achievements of the Russian book publishing industry, bringing together large and small publishers, experienced, venerable writers and aspiring authors, and, of course, hundreds of thousands of grateful readers, those who love and appreciate books. This year, the opening date of the festival coincided with the 160th anniversary of the founding of the Imperial Russian Historical Society. Historians know that one of the main activities of this association of historians was book publishing. 148 volumes of famous collections were published under the auspices of the society, which published historical sources that were difficult to access at that time. These collections have become a real monument for several generations of Russian historians. Among them are Sergei Solovyov, Vasily Klyuchevsky, and other outstanding compatriots of ours. Continuing the high tradition of historical education, the modern Russian Historical Society, together with the Russian Military Historical Society, annually introduces readers to the most valuable novelties of historical literature at the Festival site. More than 50 events, meetings with authors, and the most interesting discussions are planned in the History of the Fatherland pavilion," Sergei Naryshkin said at the opening of the Festival.

As Sergey Stepashin noted, the festival is being held for the 12th time on Red Square, and "neither the pandemic, nor terrorist threats, nor sometimes bad weather prevented us from being here with you together." "There's really only one reason— nothing unites people like a good book. Lenin's mausoleum is nearby. Remember, there was a slogan in the Soviet Union: "Lenin is alive, Lenin lived, Lenin will live." I don't know about Lenin, but the book lived, lives and will live as long as there are such readers," Sergei Stepashin continued.

After the welcoming speeches, the program of the "Main Stage" of the Festival was opened by a concert of the chamber ensemble "Soloists of Moscow" under the direction of Yuri Bashmet. The program dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Dmitry Shostakovich featured his First Piano Concerto and other works arranged for string orchestra. Pianist Ekaterina Mechetina, trumpeter Sergey Strishchenko and actress Polina Agureeva took the stage.