Baku, November 11, AZERTAC Organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, with the organizational support of the "Caspian Event Organisers", the 9th edition of the Baku International Book Fair has today successfully opened at the Baku Expo Center. Addressing the opening ceremony, Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli said that National Leader Heydar Aliyev had always attached great importance to reading throughout his political activity. "Reading books is the key basis of our culture. Today, the Azerbaijani state attaches great importance to the development of the book industry and the activities designed to foster a reading culture. It is closely involved in the development of publishing and polygraphy," the minister mentioned. Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva noted that since its establishment, the institution has founded the Human Rights Library, the first specialized library on human rights in the country, for the purpose of developing legal science, improving legal awareness of the population as well as their acquisition of new knowledge in this field. President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, academician Isa Habibbayli described the International Book Fair as an indicator of the modern stage of development. He pointed out that the book fair creates a great opportunity for broader recognition of the books written about the Great Leader both at the international level and in the country. Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Azerbaijan Mikhail Yevdokimov underscored that the 9th Baku International Book Fair is the biggest literary event in the South Caucasus. Other speakers at the event included Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council, Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union Rashad Majid, MPs of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Nizami Jafarov and Fazil Mustafa. Following the opening ceremony, the event participants viewed the stands displayed at the exhibition. More than 30 foreign organizations from 11 countries, local publishing houses, and enterprises related to printing and book art are participating in the exhibition. People's writers and poets of Azerbaijan, well-known young writers, and famous foreign writers and actors will take part in the book fair. As the honorary guest of the exhibition, the Russian Federation will hold a series of events in various formats in the exhibition hall and in a number of our cultural institutions in order to present the book art and literary and cultural heritage of the honorary guest country. At the same time, well-known Russian writers, historians and scientists will participate in the exhibition. Turkiye is also represented at the exhibition by prominent writers, scientists, well-known actors, and a program of special events. The Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), a partner of the exhibition, is also among the participants of the 9th Baku International Book Fair with its stand. The exhibition will run until November 15.