U.S. Embassy Booth at the 20th Minsk International Book Trade Fair Attract Thousands of Visitors

Chargé d’Affaires Ethan Goldrich opens the U.S. Embassy booth

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk participated in the 20th Minsk International Book Trade Fair February 6-10, 2013, which included 25 countries and over 600 exhibitors. This year, the theme of the U.S. Embassy booth was “Books that Shaped America,” honoring 88 books from throughout U.S. history that have influenced the country and culture in a profound way.

The Embassy sponsored Book Fair events started with the official opening of the U.S. Embassy booth by Chargé d’Affaires Ethan Goldrich, who also announced the launch of the Embassy’s “Book that Shaped Me” Facebook contest with a Samsung GALAXY TAB as a grand prize.  Booth programming also included a “Books that Shaped America” Library of Congress Collection  lecture/overview by  Professor Yuri Stulov from the  Minsk State Linguistic University; a “Books That Shaped America” online  presentation by Violetta Vutsans, Information Resource Center Assistant; and consultations/presentations “From Page to Screen: Film Adaptations that Shaped America" by Monika Bernotas, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Minsk State Economic University; “Books that Shaped America” Collection As a Part of Curriculum on How to Teach Critical Thinking” by  Leah Antil, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Minsk State Linguistic University; “Books That Have Made a Difference in My Life’ by Theresa Suslov, English Language Fellow, Minsk State Linguistic University; “Teaching English as a Second Language Programs and Services” by Carol Haddaway, English Language Fellow, Grodno State University; and “Education in American Universities” by Kevin Reiling, Director, International Education and Carrier Advising Center.

Over 500 visitors to the Embassy booth participated in a computer quiz to test their knowledge about American literature, over 120 visitors shared on video the American books that made a difference in their life, over 200 visitors signed the banner “My Favorite American Book”. The Embassy booth was highly appraised by the Book Fair visitors and received a Certificate of Honor.