The message reads, in part:
“It is highly symbolic that you are holding this forum at the famous Pashkov House, a building whose history is inextricably linked with the history of manuscript and printed books, with the development of librarianship in Russia.
Let me note that the Congress participants, the Russian Book Union in general, have been tireless in their persistent and targeted efforts to promote creativity and build capacity within the book industry, while also promoting Russian literature, the Russian language and languages of the peoples of Russia. Your association has made a meaningful contribution to carrying out major educational and outreach projects and initiatives, helping professionals work together as a community, while also advancing constructive dialogue with government agencies in an effort to achieve our national development goals.
I am confident that the Congress that has brought together representative of major publishing houses and book trading companies, relevant ministries and agencies, book market experts and analysts, library employees and typographers, will be held at a high organisational level while its decisions and recommendations will be highly relevant because books remain the main source of knowledge, helping people develop the best qualities and setting high moral standards for us.”