It is with great pleasure that I am here today at the opening ceremony of the Limassol Book Fair. As you know, among the responsibilities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture is the development of a policy to encourage publishing activity and the cultivation of literature, science and letters as a whole, as well as the adoption of a policy for the development of cultural relations and cultural diplomacy, with the ultimate aim of laying the foundations for the dynamic promotion of our cultural product abroad. The continuous official representation of Cyprus in international exhibitions, such as the one in Frankfurt, which I attended last October, is one of our most important endeavours as Deputy Ministry of Culture in the field of cultural diplomacy. They stimulate innovation and are an important factor in the growing services sector, support entrepreneurship and contribute to cultural diversity.
Events such as this one, with its impressive range of participants and its diverse and interesting events, demonstrate the dynamic adaptation of the publishing sector to the demands of the new reality and its continuous interest in the development of dialogue, the exchange of ideas and the critical approach to the social and intellectual issues of our time.
The exploitation of Limassol's business and cultural development is a key decision for the creation of an international book event. At the same time, the contribution of the exhibition itself to the development of the city is an ambitious goal that has been well set and I am sure that its implementation is already underway. It is with great pleasure that I welcome the fact that a group of young people, with dedication, determination and a great appetite for work, have the initiative and ability to carry out this large and demanding project. The winners at the end of the day will be the professionals of the field and Cyprus itself.
The help of the state is even more necessary in these times of long and multidimensional crisis, in order to preserve the fragile publishing world. To this end, the Ministry of State for Culture is in constant contact with book professionals in an effort to listen to the needs of those involved in book production, both authors and publishers and booksellers, with the ultimate goal of better management of existing possibilities in the production and distribution of this valuable cultural asset, the book.
To this end, the Ministry of State for Culture is in constant contact with book professionals, in an effort to listen to the needs of those involved in book production, both authors and publishers and booksellers, with the ultimate goal of better management of existing possibilities in the production and distribution of this valuable cultural asset, the book.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture supports publishing production through the "Purchase of Publications for the Enrichment of Cypriot and Foreign Libraries" Project, through which selected publications are supported. At the same time, the "Grant Scheme for the Translation of Works by Cypriot Writers from Greek into Foreign Languages" and the "Grant Scheme for the Translation of Literary Works by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots" aim respectively to promote the works of the Greek literature of Cyprus to the world and the mutual understanding between the two communities of Cyprus through the written works of their culture. Cypriot publishers are beneficiaries of both Plans and play an important role in the publication of translations, expanding their business activities to include partnerships with foreign publishing houses and the publication of works by Turkish Cypriot authors in Greek.
Also, with the "Plan to strengthen the promotion and promotion of Cypriot publications at international book fairs abroad", the Deputy Ministry aims to strengthen the targeted and upgraded presence of Cypriot publishing organizations at these fairs.
I extend my warmest congratulations to the Limassol Book Festival team who, with dedication, determination and a great desire to work, had the initiative and ability to carry out this large and demanding undertaking, giving us the pleasure of reading and discussing hundreds of books.
I wish this new international event every success, with continuous and substantial development, so that when we look back on this day one day, we will realise how much it has offered us.
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