The President’s message reads, in particular:
“This major festival is one of the most important events taking place as part of the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan. Books help to develop the traditions of friendship and trust that are part of our people’s historical heritage, and they play an important part in broadening diverse ties in science, education and culture and in forming closer human contacts. It is pleasing to see leading writers, poets and publishers from Russia and many other countries gathering today in Baku, a city which knows Russian literature well and seeks to preserve an atmosphere of tolerance and respect towards different languages and religions”.