Starting September 1, a ban on foreign agents conducting educational activities comes into force. What does this mean for the book industry?

In reality, no one knows for sure. Many publishers and bookstores have held final sales on books by foreign agents. Meanwhile, the publisher AST is releasing a book by Alexander Arkhangelsky* about Pushkin. But only in electronic format. It is not entirely clear whether publishing books qualifies as educational activity: a book is simply an information carrier, and information itself does not always educate. Nevertheless, the Russian Book Union has published an explanation in its official Telegram channel, stating that, yes, selling books by foreign agents is still allowed for stores, but they may not expect state support afterward.

Meanwhile, in a memo released by the same Russian Book Union, in addition to recommendations to pack more tightly and label more prominently, there is this point: “…responsibility for the distribution of publications may be shifted from the rights holder to the organization providing distribution services. In other words, the fine will be imposed on the bookstore, not the publisher. And since June 2025, the amount of this fine has increased significantly.”

In summary: nothing is entirely clear, there is no explicitly interpreted ban on selling books by foreign agents, and so far, no one has been fined for incorrectly displaying books by foreign agents: both “Podpisnye Izdaniya” and Moscow’s “Falanster” were accused of LGBT propaganda**, not violations in selling foreign agents.

Nevertheless, the level of anxiety in the professional community is very high. There is a sense that even if booksellers are willing to continue dealing with “dangerous” books, they are certainly not ready to announce it publicly. Out of more than a dozen booksellers approached, only four agreed to talk, and two of those four wished to remain anonymous.

Anonymous bookseller, Siberia:

— What will happen next is unclear, and how to react is also unclear. We don’t have state support anyway. The rules of the game are changing very rapidly: today it’s “cannot sign a procurement contract,” and tomorrow something else will be forbidden. We are not offering discounts on books by foreign agents that we currently have in stock, and we will decide what to do with the remaining inventory as updates to this fascinating game come in.

Maria Zakruchenko, writer, organizer of the “Bookhopping” program (like barhopping, but for small bookstores), Moscow:

— Look, in the legislation, “educational activity,” which foreign agents cannot conduct, does not extend to selling books. That is, starting September 1, a foreign agent cannot give lectures, but selling books to stores is not formally prohibited. This is how most lawyers interpret the situation. But there is such a thing as law enforcement practice—when a court makes a decision based on the law. And there are already court decisions where administrative fines have been issued for selling books whose circulation is not prohibited in Russia, meaning there are already alarming precedents. Although in Russia, law is not precedent-based but normative. Of course, no one wants to become a “precedent,” given the unclear degree of punishment that will fall on their head. Therefore, I view with sad understanding the decision of some bookstores to remove “dangerous” books from the shelves—in a situation where nothing is clear. As for the denial of state support if a store still sells books by foreign agents, nothing is clear at all yet—there was only a message in a semi-official Telegram channel. Do independent bookstores currently receive any benefits, and what are they? Is “state support” important to them? It’s better to ask them.

Anonymous bookseller, St. Petersburg:

— We never claimed state support, so we won’t suffer from its prohibition, but we are currently consulting with lawyers about under what conditions it is truly safe to sell foreign agents. From the laws themselves and authoritative comments on them, it is only clear that there is no direct ban and it is too early to remove foreign agents from sale, but there are no practical recommendations on how exactly to sell these books. We continue to monitor the news and await clarity.

Anna Sanina, founder and head of the independent bookstore “

Pushkin

Pushkin is a town near Saint Petersburg, Russia, historically known as Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s Village). It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars and is famed for its magnificent baroque and neoclassical palaces, most notably the Catherine Palace with its iconic Amber Room. The town was renamed in 1937 to honor the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who studied at the Imperial Lyceum located there.

Russian Book Union

The Russian Book Union is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to support and develop the book publishing industry in Russia. It organizes major cultural events, most notably the annual Moscow International Book Fair, and works to promote reading and protect the interests of its members, which include publishers, booksellers, and libraries.

Podpisnye Izdaniya

“Podpisnye Izdaniya” is a historic and beloved independent bookstore and cultural hub in St. Petersburg, Russia, which first opened in 1926. It became a vital intellectual sanctuary during the Soviet era, known for its difficult-to-find publications and as a gathering place for the city’s intelligentsia. Today, it continues to operate as a prominent bookstore and a center for literary events, preserving its legacy as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural life.

Falanster

“Falanster” refers to a self-contained communal building, a concept proposed by 19th-century French philosopher Charles Fourier as the ideal living and working unit for his utopian socialist communities. These structures were designed to house a community, called a phalanx, where residents would share labor and resources harmoniously. While Fourier’s vision was never fully realized in his lifetime, the term remains an important part of utopian socialist history and architectural theory.

Bookhopping

“Bookhopping” is not a recognized physical place or established cultural site, but rather a modern term for the activity of browsing multiple bookstores in a single trip. The practice has grown in popularity with the resurgence of independent bookshops, allowing bibliophiles to explore diverse collections and support local businesses. It reflects a contemporary cultural trend that celebrates community, discovery, and the tactile experience of physical books.

Siberia

Siberia is a vast geographical region in Russia, known for its harsh climate and expansive wilderness. Historically, it was a place of exile for political prisoners during the Tsarist and Soviet eras, and its development was heavily tied to resource extraction and the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back over 800 years to its founding in 1147. It is a major political, economic, and cultural center, renowned for its iconic landmarks such as the Kremlin, a historic fortified complex, and Red Square, which have been central to Russian history for centuries.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a historic Russian port city founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great as his “window to the West.” It served as the imperial capital of Russia for over two centuries and is renowned for its grand Baroque architecture, extensive network of canals, and world-class cultural institutions like the Hermitage Museum.