Bookstores in Belarus
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- There are many bookstores in Belarus. Belarus has an extremely high literacy rate and this is reflected in the range and number of publications. This page is only the beginning of listing those stores where English-speaking visitors are more likely to browse and shop. Of course, there are very few books for people who only know English. The overwhelming majority of books are in Russian only; some books are only in Belarusian, and the smallest category of books has some English.
- About the surprising scarcity of books and other printed materials in the Belarusian language:. On December 29, 1997, at an event celebrating culture in Belarus, the president of Belarus stated in response to a question about the "problem" [the word used in the article reporting the event] of the Belarusian language in Belarus, that ". . .the time has not come for the Belarusian language to flourish, and [he] expressed certainty that it will happen in the future.". . . . That being the case, you can, however, find books in Belarusian now--if you work hard at it. There is a very strong interest and pride in the language and culture of Belarus, "presidential administration" policies and decrees, nothwithstanding.
Note: See the articles about the Belarusian Language on Trial in 1998 in Belarus (including related challenges to the continuing existence of Belarusian as a language).
- All bookstores in Belarus are state run--by the Respublikanckaha ab'yadnannya Belkniha = the State Association, Belkniha ( ? please let me know if this is incorrect), and have the bulk of their inventories in the Russian language. The biggest selection appears to be in popular novels in Russian. The larger among them have some books in Belarusian. Usually, bookstores do not include magazines and newspapers.
Many bookstores appear to be adding used books to their inventories. Such "antiquarian," collector, or second-hand books are very important to book buyers since print runs are usually very limited, and desirable books disappear from the marketplace quite rapidly.
- Book production: The quality of the paper is still sadly lacking, and is similar to newsprint in the West--with some recent exceptions. Book design is very out of date as well (poor layout; little color; almost no illustrations, etc.), though there have been a few recent exceptions. Prices are very low, as a rule, however. Art books produced in the CIS countries are generally below the quality of that in the West and Japan, in terms of their production. This appears to be improving, too, however.
- Outlets: In addition to bookstores, kiosks and stands (especially in the underground entrance ways to the metro), also have limited selections, with particular focus on popular novels, astrology, children's books, etc. (almost entirely in Russian). Some hotels include magazine and newspaper stands that have a limited book selection.
- Other: The current conditions for the printing, distribution, and marketing of books and periodicals in Belarus is a "challenge" for the Belarusian publishing industry. For example, there appears to be no focused effort to target the tourist industry with publications. The best guide to Mensk is produced in Lithuania (Minsk in Your Pocket). State-produced tourist pamphlets are of poor quality with poor translations, and without the information that tourists need and want. If someone wanted to produce a book privately, s/he would have a difficult time marketing and selling it.
- Note: Information provided here was accurate at the time it was collected. Presidential decrees being what they are, information can change rapidly (and change back again). For example, all state store hours were extended in spring, 1998, by decree.
Mensk
Polatsk
Belarusian Museum of Book Printing
Not a bookstore, but possibly worth a look for bibliophiles. (Note: I have never been there, but I think it is next to the cathedral by the river; not St. Sophia's which is a museum).
Svetoch Bookstore
Go to the Belarusian Writers
Web page Go to the Books about Belarus Web page
Go to the A Belarus
Miscellany Topic List
Search the A Belarus Miscellany Web site
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