Russian National Reading Development Programme
 
2007-2017
 
21 April, 9.30am
Venue: LBF, Malborough Room

Is the culture of reading in Russia in recession? In 1990, there were more than 17,500 book shops in Russia. Today, this number has fallen to just over 6,000. Although innovative means of distribution bypass book shops, this also suggests that reading plays a smaller role in young Russians’ development than it did for the older generation. Interest in reading is dwindling worldwide as the lure of books is superseded by that of electronic media and the entertainment industry. According to recent statistics, in 1970 80% of Russian families read books to their children. The corresponding figure today stands at just 7%.

To account for such a downturn and to provide promotion and support for the future, the Russian National Reading Development Programme was set up in 2007. It is a vast programme that will be in operation until 2020, and aims to revolutionise the culture of reading through collaboration with educational institutions of all levels and with publishers. It is an organic process that has drawn heavily on international examples of similar schemes for inspiration.

The programme’s measures are already beginning to reap rewards. The publishing industry is beginning to evolve and to resemble its Western counterparts more closely. A new generation of Russian writers has emerged, whose work is lauded and encouraged by a variety of literary prizes.

This seminar will act as a forum and meeting place for representatives of international schemes in the same vein. We invite you to come and discover more about the National Programme for Reading Promotion and Development in Russia, in order to exchange experience and join forces.
 
 
Speakers


 

Vladimir Grigoriev is Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Agency for the Press and Mass Communications and he is a tireless campaigner and champion of Russian literature and culture at all the world's major book fairs; he famously said, ‘Russian literature should know no boundaries.' 

Dmitry Bykov

 

Dmitry Bykov is an influential journalist, poet, writer and chief editor of the journal What to Read. He believes that people read what is offered to them, and that raising awareness is a question of offering more, and educating the public.
 Viv Bird is the Chief Executive of the Booktrust, which runs a wide range of reader development activities across the UK, including Government-funded bookgifting programmes for children such as Bookstart (now adopted in 20 countries), literary prizes and awards, websites, resources for schools and national campaigns.