Moscow hosts the annual 'Red Square' book fest! (PHOTOS)
The ‘Red Square’ book festival, considered the main book event of the year, takes place in the very heart of Moscow for the 11th time in a row. It also coincides with celebrating ‘Russian Language Day’ and Alexander Pushkin's birthday.
Book worms and fans of reading in Russia have a whole calendar of landmark book fairs, but the ‘Red Square’ book festival certainly tops the list!
Last year, more than 300 thousand people attended the festival. Many people come with their children and pets. There are plenty of rest areas with soft armchairs, soft drinks and tasty snacks. But, of course, the main thing is books!
This year's ‘Red Square’ book festival runs from June 4-7, traditionally falling also on ‘Russian Language Day’, as well as Alexander Pushkin's birthday, which are both celebrated in Russia on June 6.
More than 400 publishers are presenting their products in tents right by the Kremlin walls.
Representatives of all Russian regions are also bringing their books and publications.
Parallel, there is also a festival of national literature: Yakut, Tatar, Bashkir and more than 40 other ethnic groups and their reading materials.
From 10 am to late evening Red Square hosts meetings with famous writers: Eugene Vodolazkin, Zakhar Prilepin, Daria Dontsova, Alexei Salnikov and many others.
In total, more than 600 events await reading lovers over the four days! Including presentations of notable book novelties.
Poetry readings, music and theater performances will be taking place all day long on the festival's main stage.
To mark the 120th anniversary of Mikhail Sholokhov’s birth year, a musical performance of ‘And Quiet Flows the Don’ is being staged this year.
And, on the 225th anniversary of the ancient poem ‘The Tale of Igor's Campaign’, famous actor Sergey Garmash narrated the work accompanied by an orchestra, in which the viola part was played by the famous Yuri Bashmet.
Book rows, meanwhile, have occupied the first floor of GUM department store, as well. Among them are rarities of booksellers, antique books, museum albums and collections.
The 80th anniversary of the Victory Day, which is being widely celebrated in Russia in 2025, was a cross-cutting theme at all venues.
The festival also honored the winners of the All-Russian ‘Read with the whole family’ video contest.
“It is a tradition in Russia that a lot of things start from the Red Square. So, we came up with a contest designed to reach the hearts of families all over Russia. It is important for us that children receive a love of reading and literature from their parents. A person who reads is a winner,” says Vladimir Grigoriev, Deputy Chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee and Director of the Department of the Government Support of Periodical Press and Book Industry, Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation.
You can find a detailed festival program on the festival's official website here.
