Go to the Belarusian Writers Web page Go to the Books about Belarus Web page Go to the Bookstores in Belarus Web page Go to the A Belarus Miscellany Topic List
Search the A Belarus Miscellany Web site
A small but interesting collection of books and other printed materials in Belarusian and related to Belarusian nationalism (e.g., pocket calendars). Some used books as well.
Note: Seems to be always closed lately (spring and summer, 1998); the kiosk itself, as well as several others, were moved from area (late summer, 1998).
Types of books: Mostly books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics. But also has a selection of Belarusian language, collector, coffee table art books, and used books. Computer books (Russian language) have been added in spring, 1998. Good selection of children's books (mostly in Russian; some in Belarusian). Small selection of foreign language books (for Russian speakers learning other languages). Shelf space of fiction and poetry in Belarusian (by Belarusian authors) shrinks week by week. . . .
Other Features: One of the best sources for hard to find, interesting books--since it: buys books; sells used books (consignment); (buying used books is often the only way to get the most interesting books)
Location: Prospekt Skorini, 53 (northeast of Jakuba Kolasa Square)
Other Contact Information:
Types of books: As the name states, books for business, and also maps of Belarus.
Other Features: Only specialized map store I know of in Mensk (although all bookstores have a limited selection of maps--sometimes). And the only bookstore in Mensk that I know of that is not open on Saturdays.
Maps: The most complete, yet very limited, source of maps about Belarus. (It appears that Belarus hasn't gotten over the Soviet siege mentality concerning maps. Many maps have, I'm told, intentional errors and many villages and other features are not shown.) Most notably, this store has the 1:200,000 scale maps (1 cm = 2 km), the most detailed available, other than the scale used for some tourist and city maps. These maps are dated 1984 and 1990 with the most recent printing as 1991. These maps are similar to what US backpackers refer to as "quad" maps that are used for backcountry hiking. Regrettably, these maps are only available in Russian, and not all sections are available (approximately 35 of them depict all of Belarus).
Location: vul. Varvasheni 10 (& corner of vul. Chirvonaya)
Other Contact Information:
Types of books: Mostly books in Russian, especially popular novels. Some computer books.
Other Features: Convenient location at the intersection of the two metro lines (at the stations Kupalovskaya and Ploscha Kastrichnitskaya). The only bookstore open on Sundays, that I am aware of. Nearby in the underpass, people set up tables selling magazines, newspapers, popular books in Russian, cassette tapes, etc. [The name of the bookstore translates as "read more," and I'm told, was a play on the name of the "pay less" shoe store that used to be next door, but is now an upscale clothing store.]
Location: Underground in the perehod at the Kupalovskaya and October Square (Ploscha Kastrichnitskaya) metro stations.
Other Contact Information:
Types of books: Mostly new books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics, but also many used books. Also has some books in Belarusian. Smaller selection of computer books (Russian language) than art books--which it does have. Selection of children's books.
Other Features: Buys used books; sells on consignment, etc.; as noted elsewhere, one of the only ways to find the truly interesting books that are no longer published. Located near October Square (Ploscha Kastrichnitzkaya) and the Yanka Kupala (Drama) Theater.
Location: vul. Karl Marx 36 (and corner of vul. Engels)
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 226-1090 Fax: 375 (17) 227-5558
Types of books: Mostly new books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics. Also has some books in Belarusian. Good selection of children's books (mostly in Russian). Small selection of foreign language books (for Russian speakers learning other languages).
Other Features: Because it is smaller than most of the other major bookstores, its collection of books in Belarusian looks bigger than it really is, but it has approximately less than Tzentralni and Svetach, the major bookstores in the central city.
Location: Vul. Kazlova 2, Mensk 220005
(on corner with Rumyantzeva, one block north of Mensk State Linguistic University); store windows face side street, not Kazlova, making it easy to miss.
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 284-9061 375 (17) 284-9341
Types of books: Mostly new books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics. Also has some books in Belarusian. Art book section.
Other Features: Recently (March, 1998) added a foreign language book section (mostly instruction for Russian speakers). Also has section selling reproductions of paintings.
Located not far from the Tzentralni Bookstore, so you can visit both at same time, although with two small kiosks/storefronts in the area (one on each side of street). Major souvenir stores and department stores are nearby as well.
Location: Prospekt Fr. Skaryna 14
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 227-6361
Types of books: British produced books, especially for language learning and reference. (The best store in Mensk for such a purpose.) If you have to have an English-language, popular novel, this is the place to get it (though selection is limited and prices are "western."). Books and videos can be special ordered.
Note: This is not a resource for books about Belarus or by Belarusians in English.
The British Council is also at the same location, and maintains a study center (at the other end of the building, parallel to vul. Zaharova).
Located inside Mensk State Linguistic University (MSLU)--to the left as you enter. Not far from Ploscha Peramoghi (Victory Square).
Location: vul. Zaharova 21
Other Contact Information:
Types of books: Name of store is in Belarusian, but sign on window in Russian states "audio-video textbooks for students of foreign languages." Mostly books in Russian. Some books in Belarusian, and some computer books. [Bookstore name means "youth" or "of young age" in Belarusian.]
Other Features: Section of CDs in TV and radio store in back (that shares the same entrance with the bookstore).
Location: Mensk 220123; vul. M. Bagdanovich, 68 (Note that the building across the street is number "135," just in case you have trouble finding the store.)
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 227-6361
Some musical instruments, but mostly recordings (cassette and CDs) and some sheet music and some books (mostly about music). Some recordings of Belarusian popular groups in Belarusian (mostly on poor quality cassettes, rarely on CDs, as of summer, 1998).
Location: Vul. Lenina; (one block west of McDonald's--that is, toward Nyamiga)
Other Contact Information:
Types of books: Mostly new books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics. Also has some books in Belarusian. More of a source for computer books (Russian language) than art books--which it does have (many locals refer to it as mastastva, the "art" bookstore; what it had been). Extensive selection of children's books (mostly in Russian). Good selection of foreign language books (for Russian speakers learning other languages). Located near several major tourist hotels (Yubilena, Planeta, Belarus).
Other Features: Probably the best selection of computer-related books in Mensk. Sells some school and office supplies, as well as greeting cards.
Location: Prospekt Masherava 51
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 223-4754
Types of books: Mostly new books in Russian, especially popular novels and more serious topics. A decent selection of Belarusian language books. Computer books (Russian language) also available (though not as extensive as at Svetach). Extensive selection of children's books (mostly in Russian). Good selection of foreign language books (for Russian speakers learning other languages).
Other Features: Souvenirs, some office supplies, and greeting cards. Good collection of computer books. Special section of books in Belarusian. Located not far from the Podpicniye Bookstore, so you can visit both at same time, although with two small kiosks/storefronts in the area (one on each side of street). Major souvenir stores and department stores are nearby as well.
Location: Prospekt Skorini 19 (to the north and across the side street from the KGB headquarters)
Other Contact Information: Tel: 375 (17) 227-4918
Types of books: Mix of new & used books in Russian. Also has some books in Belarusian. Selection of children's books (mostly in Russian). Limited selection of foreign language books (for Russian speakers learning other languages).
Other Features: Wonderful location (in the reconstructed--1984--old city), and book lovers going there feel as though they have made a discovery about Mensk. As the title suggests, a major feature of this store is the used books for collectors, including art books. Also has a numismatics (coin collector) section.
Location: by river in Trinity Suburb; Old Town (5 min. walk from Nyamiga metro station and near vul. Bogdanovich; 10 min. walk from Opera House.)
Other Contact Information: tel: 375 (17) 234-2623
Handleuvaya Nabyarezhnaya 46
Traetzkaye Predmestze
Mensk, Belarus 220029
Held weekly on Saturdays most of the year. It is best to get there early (before 9 am). Sometimes the venue changes to an alternate location.
Types of books: New and used. Mostly books in Russian, especially popular novels, art books, children's books, and the more serious topics. (I've been told that most of the dealers come from out of the country, thus only a very limited selection of books in Belarusian.)
Other Features: Small, per-person, entrance fee.
Location: Youth Palace (as well as an alternate location)
Other Contact Information:
Go to the Belarusian Writers Web page Go to the Books about Belarus Web page Go to the Bookstores in Belarus Web page Go to the A Belarus Miscellany Topic List
Search the A Belarus Miscellany Web site
Original content and overall form ©1996-2004 by
Peter Kasaty : All Rights
Reserved. Last Updated: 1998/08/25
Quoted Text, Graphics, Links, and Linked Content belong to their respective owners.