In society

Books and citizens

September 7, 2012 Boris Kolymagin

The next, 25th international book fair takes place at the VVC. Outwardly, everything is wonderful: about one and a half thousand exhibitors from forty -five countries, France is an honorary guest, all the great, from Dmitry Bykov to Zakhar Prilepin, in the collection, politicians flaunt before the television cameras, but the feeling of stagnation remains.

On the way to the fair, I met Pavel Basinsky, who admitted that I had just finished the book about John of Kronstad and Leo Tolstoy. The organizers invited him to give a lecture on the writer.

Without Tolstoy, especially during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Borodino, nowhere. This is understandable. Before the entrance, the mummers loomed, old music sounded. It seemed that you will take another step and meet with Natasha Rostova. But suddenly the head of the wizard-Churov, which arose, destroyed the fairy tale. A little further in front of the television cameras, Gennady Zyuganov flaunted. Fortunately, you yourself know who limited himself to a greeting, otherwise I would have to wait half an hour in the lobby until they removed the cordon.

You yourself know who in the text of the greeting, by the way, expressed the confidence that the fair would "help the popularization of high -quality, substantial literature." And he was mistaken: it is difficult in our time with popularization. Montens publishers from year to year were replaced by small publishers from the fairs that produce this most substantial literature. And there are almost no them left. Where is the St. Petersburg Alethea? Where is the "Russian impulse"? Where is the "New Literary Review"? Or are the prices already bite so that you can’t remove several meters? Previously, at least there were united stands, for some socially significant projects they gave free areas. For example, there was a stand of literary thick magazines. Now this is not.

Yes, in the book pavilion you can find the publishing house "Sowing" and even authors of home -made books. But I repeat them, few. And there is not enough exclusive. Although, in Greece, everything is.

The religious component of the fair also decreased. Previously, one could meet many Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish publishers. Now everything is much more modest. Several representatives of new religious movements, such as Sri Chatanya, Islamic and Orthodox publishers. Unless the stand of the Russian biblical society shines in all its glory, that is, it is not, of course, but publications: a binding with gold embossing, leather, excellent paper, quality printing.

Of the political parties at the fair, the apple actively acts. In what, in what, but you can’t refuse it: every year they show new books, hold conferences. So this time, one of the conference halls with difficulty accepted those who wanted to listen about the latest news of the “Yabloko”. However, the "novelties" are very conditional: thoughts and topics are old, simply in "new packages." Here is the collection of Sergei Mitrokhin "Russia needs changes!". Here is the brochure "Your rights in the housing and communal services." But Irina Kopkina’s work “everyone should know” with the subtitle “how to behave correctly in emergency situations”. Paired this work a bit. Opened the section "Security at rallies." I read: “The rally requires the sanction of the authorities ... Do not take children; do not take stitching and cutting objects; To have a personality document with you ... Try to stay away from the police cordons, you need to be afraid of garbage containers, ownerless bags and diplomats. At the first signs of impending riots, try to leave the dangerous area with a safe route. ” Hmm!

Sergei Mitrokhin, to the question of the “Million Mill”, said that on September 15 he would not go anywhere, because he was leaving on a business trip. And he immediately expressed concern that at a rally red-brown would be more than white-winged ones, which is not good.

In addition to books at the fair, cards and crafts made of wood are widely represented. Someone came to advertise his printing house, his bookstore.

A lot of events are planned at stands and in conference rooms in the coming days. My e -mail is littered with invitations, like: “Eksmo and Rossiyskaya Gazeta publishing house invite you to the presentation of Maria Gorodovo Book“ Tenderness ”. The most active readers will receive a preferential subscription to the “Russian newspaper” and the book of Maria Gorodovaya “Tender Wind” as a gift ”.

The Linguist of Andrei Zaliznyak and a meeting with the poet Olga Sedakova, a round table dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Goncharov will take place at MMKVVI.

Etc. etc. Until September 10, inclusive.

Photo by RIA Novosti