The 4th Children's Book Festival has opened at the Baku Sports Palace and will last until April 13.
According to AZERTAC, the festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, and the Azerbaijan Publishers Association (ANAIB). The event was sponsored by Expressbank.
The opening ceremony of the festival began with a welcoming speech by ANAIB Chairman Shamil Sadig, who emphasized the importance of the event for the development of children's book publishing and book publishing in general. He spoke about the achievements of the festival over the four years of its holding, wished good luck to the participants and officially declared the festival open.
Then the project manager and children's writer Fatima Alkhazli expressed gratitude and provided detailed information about the festival.
Then the ceremony was continued by the Chairman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Bahar Muradova, who noted the importance of such events. She emphasized that the festival motivates children to read and contributes to the strengthening of cooperation and development of book publishing in Azerbaijan.
Member of the Milli Majlis, Doctor of Philology Elnara Akimova congratulated everyone on holding the festival, calling it a real holiday. She emphasized that the annual holding of this event has become a good tradition that inspires children to read, and wished further success in organizing such events.
Then, Member of the Milli Majlis Mehriban Veliyeva spoke, noting that holding the IV Children's Book Festival is a joyful event for everyone who appreciates culture and literature.
Expressbank PR Representative Raziya Akhundova delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of Expressbank. She expressed gratitude to the organizers and spoke about the role of Expressbank in supporting the festival, noting that participation in such events is very important for the bank.
Next, Elchin Husseinbeyli, a writer, playwright, publicist and member of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, emphasized that books play a vital role in the upbringing and education of children, their spiritual development.
In conclusion, Shamil Sadig presented memorable awards as a token of gratitude for supporting the festival.
In an interview with an AZERTAC correspondent, Elnara Akimova emphasized the importance of festivals for the formation of a reading generation. She noted that such events help children get acquainted with writers and develop their interest in books. For adults, they become a platform for discussing literature and education: "As Orhan Pamuk said: "Once I read a book, and my whole life changed." Let the books received at the festival become the same for children," the agency's interlocutor added.
It should be noted that more than 30 publishing houses are taking part in the festival, including both ANAIB members and other companies. Visitors are offered books of various genres, many of which can be purchased with discounts of up to 90 percent.
The event includes book presentations, meetings with writers, poetry readings and entertainment programs for children. Master classes, competitions, theatrical scenes and interactive activities are also organized.
The festival includes three thematic days: April 11 is declared the Day of National Costumes - a day dedicated to introducing children to the national costumes of Azerbaijan in order to instill in them national values and preserve cultural heritage.
April 12 will be held as the Day of Professions, aimed at introducing children to professions and awakening interest in them.
April 13 is the Day of the Fairytale Hero, dedicated to the development of children's imagination and the formation of positive qualities in them.
