The Moscow International Book Fair will open at the Gostiny Dvor exhibition center on September 2, 2026, featuring China as its official guest of honour for the first time.
Program director Tatyana Voskovskaya told news outlet NSN that the five-day fair, which runs through September 6, will bring together international delegates to discuss the growing impact of neural networks on literature and book publishing.
Organisers have structured the fair around five primary thematic tracks: reading, personal development, knowledge, reflection, and identity. According to organisers, these core themes are tied directly to Russia's official Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.
Chinese Delegation and Central Exhibits
Voskovskaya advised first-time attendees to start by visiting the China pavilion, which is set to take center stage at the exhibition venue. The delegation from Beijing brings together a distinguished group of philologists, literary translators, academic scholars, industry experts, and prominent authors whose books have already been translated into Russian.
Among the featured Chinese writers hosting creative meetings and discussions are Tianrui Shaofu, Liu Zhenyun, and Zhao Lihong. In addition to literary talks, the Chinese exhibit will offer visitors hands-on cultural experiences, including traditional calligraphy sessions and authentic tea ceremonies.
The Moscow International Book Fair, known locally as MMKY, is Russia's largest annual book trade event, drawing publishing houses, authors, and readers from across the country and abroad. The exhibition takes place at Gostiny Dvor, an historic trade center located near Red Square in central Moscow.
Artificial Intelligence and Youth Programs
A major portion of this year's industry schedule will examine how neural networks and artificial intelligence algorithms are reshaping the publishing sector. Specialist panel discussions featuring experts from 11 different countries will address copyright ownership, the future of written content, and the broader relationship between AI technology and human creators.
Voskovskaya acknowledged that the conference sessions are unlikely to provide immediate or simple solutions to these complex challenges. However, she emphasized that the forum will allow industry professionals to analyze current transformation trends and explore practical ways to utilize neural networks as useful tools for publishers and authors.
The fair has also prepared extensive programming for younger audiences across three dedicated zones. A prominent area will focus on young adult literature and comic books, reflecting what organisers describe as a surge in popularity for the genre in recent years, while a separate lecture hall will host live appearances by children's poets and storytellers.
A third youth venue will operate as a creative workshop where children and parents can participate together in paper origami, clay sculpting, and figurine painting. Voskovskaya noted that fantasy, science fiction, and romantic stories currently rank among the most sought-after literary genres for young audiences.
