What to Look for at the Moscow International Book Fair
The Moscow International Book Fair starts today in Pavilion 57 at VDNKh. It will run until September 7. Visitors can expect hundreds of new releases, according to organizers. They also reminded that fair participants must comply with restrictions on the sale of books by foreign agents, which came into force on September 1.
Despite this, the book industry is currently on the rise. “The book market is growing. According to the industry report for last year, growth is more than 10%, with the market volume exceeding 130 billion rubles. Printed books account for about 7-8%. The electronic and audiobook market has grown significantly, by more than 30%, and self-publishing also grew by more than 30% last year. Fiction is regaining its position, its share has already increased to 48% compared to 2023. Popular genres still include young adult: fantasy, science fiction, cyberpunk, dystopias, and detective stories.”
More than 300 publishers will participate in the fair, including from Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, North Korea, and China. There is also an honorary guest with a huge market that is of interest to Russian authors. “People are interested in everything authentic, what is connected to life, perhaps with the confusion and lostness of a person in our world. It is interesting what Nadezhda Alekseeva writes in her book ‘Polunoshnitsa’ and her new book ‘Belgrade’. I started reading Pavel Basinsky’s new book about the writer Leonid Andreev with interest, which provides an example of such attention to real life and the circumstances of the writer’s biography.
It seems to me that collections are also in favor with readers today. For example, a collection compiled by Dmitry Danilov, titled ’16 Trips’, was published. I also wrote a story for it. India will be the guest of honor; Indian writers will come. I know that translations of books published in Russia are planned so that they can be distributed in India, and there is a huge book market there. Therefore, I think a serious and interested dialogue with Indian book people is ahead.”
In the first quarter of 2025, sales of the largest bookstores fell by 6%. The turnover remained almost the same due to rising prices. Market participants note a shift of buyers to marketplaces. The most devoted readers come to book festivals to hold a book in their hands. The appearance of the publication still matters. “What materials are selected, the design—this impression can only be obtained at a fair or in a bookstore. Even the best product photo does not convey the full impression.
We are presenting a series of literary guides: Boris Pasternak’s Moscow, Vladimir Mayakovsky’s Moscow. Since the fair traditionally takes place in early September, books by Evgeny Yamburg, including recently released works ‘A Breakwater Named Culture’ and ‘True Stories and Tall Tales. Tricky Answers and Necessary Questions’, are especially popular with the attention of readers and educators.”
The cost of a single ticket for all days of the fair is 900 rubles.
Everything is clear with us.
VDNKh
VDNKh is a major exhibition center in Moscow, Russia, originally opened in 1939 to showcase the achievements of the Soviet Union’s national economy. Today, it functions as a massive trade, educational, and recreational complex, famous for its grandiose Soviet-era architecture and iconic fountains.
Moscow International Book Fair
The Moscow International Book Fair is one of the largest and oldest book fairs in the world, first held in 1977. It serves as a major international platform for publishers, authors, and readers to network and trade copyrights. Historically, it was a significant cultural event in the Soviet Union and remains a vital hub for the literary community in Russia and beyond.
Polunoshnitsa
I am unable to find any verifiable information on a place or cultural site named “Polunoshnitsa.” It is possible the name is misspelled, refers to a very localized or obscure location, or is not a widely recognized cultural heritage site. Could you please provide any additional context or check the spelling?
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, one of Europe’s oldest cities with a history of continuous habitation for over 7,000 years. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers has made it a prized possession for various empires, including the Romans, Ottomans, and Austro-Hungarians, which is reflected in its diverse architecture. A key landmark is the Belgrade Fortress, which has been destroyed and rebuilt dozens of times throughout its long and turbulent history.
16 Trips
I am unable to provide a summary for “16 Trips” as it does not appear to be a widely recognized place or established cultural site. It is possible this refers to a local business, a lesser-known art project, or a mistranslation. For an accurate summary, more specific context or the correct name would be needed.
Boris Pasternak’s Moscow
Boris Pasternak’s Moscow refers to the city’s literary and historical landscape as experienced by the Nobel Prize-winning author, particularly during the Soviet era. It encompasses his former dacha in Peredelkino, a writers’ village where he lived and wrote his masterpiece, *Doctor Zhivago*. This setting was a refuge for intellectual life and a witness to the state persecution Pasternak faced after the novel’s controversial publication.
Vladimir Mayakovsky’s Moscow
“Vladimir Mayakovsky’s Moscow” refers to the urban landscape and cultural world of the Russian Futurist poet, who was a central figure in the city’s avant-garde scene during the early 20th century. His work and life were deeply intertwined with Moscow, where he was a passionate advocate for the Bolshevik Revolution and helped shape the artistic spirit of the new Soviet state. Key locations associated with him include the Lubyanka building, where he worked, and the streets and squares that served as backdrops for his revolutionary poetry and plays.
A Breakwater Named Culture
“A Breakwater Named Culture” is a modern public space and cultural venue built on a historic breakwater in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. It was developed to transform the industrial waterfront into a vibrant hub for art, performance, and community events. The site creatively repurposes its maritime infrastructure, blending its historical function with contemporary cultural significance.
