Moscow's annual book fair draws crowds despite coronavirus curbs

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Hundreds of Moscow residents flocked to an open-air book fair in Red Square, though some publishing houses opted to stay away as city authorities keep most coronavirus restrictions in place.

Organisers of the annual book fair, which was attended by 300,000 people last year, have implemented numerous measures to stem the spread of the virus — with chairs spaced one metre apart and temperature checks at the entrance.

“You either mourn that the industry is in crisis or go and take part in the book fair with all the precautions in place,” said Natalia Eihwald from the Kompas-Gid children’s publishing house, one of about 180 publishers with stalls at the fair.

People attend the annual Red Square Book Fair in central Moscow, Russia June 6. — Reuters
People attend the annual Red Square Book Fair in central Moscow, Russia June 6. — Reuters

Read the full Reuters story here.

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