Greetings on opening of the 12th Red Square Book Festival

The message reads, in part:

"Over the years of holding the festival, it has has become one of the most vivid, outstanding, large-scale and long-awaited events in the cultural life of our country. It is rightfully renowned for its cordial and hospitable atmosphere. You bring together famous and young authors, professional librarians and publishers, admirers of all literary genres and areas. It is gratifying that, owing to the Union of Russian Writers, the process of consolidating the best writers is becoming more active and makes it possible to more fully reflect the cultural wealth of our country.

During the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the festival is becoming a grand literary occasion and a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the immensely rich palette of publications in the languages of the Russian Federation's peoples.

Doubtless, the native language and literature are the foundation of a national identity. They play a tremendous educational, constructive and consolidating role, help conserve our cultural diversity, preserve and expand unique traditions of the national literature."