Lohvinaŭ Publishing House

Lohvinaŭ House of Literature

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publisher bookshop literary scene literary website

#SaveLohvinau civil compaign

2015

Accused of promoting extremism after releasing a Belarus Press Photo 2011 book, Lohvinau Publishing House has been denied a state license since 2013. Following this event, Ihar Lohvinau won the International Publishers Association’s Freedom to Publish award for courage in defending freedom of expression. In 2014, book distributors in Belarus must acquire a state registration. Throughout the year Lohvinau Bookstore has been trying to get it six times, being rejected each time for far-fetched pretexts.

January 9

In 2000 a group of enthusiasts created a way to extend intellectual and creative space of Belarus. That’s how Lohvinau Publishing House came to live. In 2009 it kicked off the pioneering publishing bookstore. At first glance a modest shop, it is in reality the only independent bookstore in the country; a daring idea for Belarus, which has turned into a successful project.

And we would love to continue our activity, however,there is an objective barrier. On January 9th the economic court of Minsk obliged Lohvinau Bookstore to pay 976 billion belarusian rubles fine (€56,000).

What happened?

In its 15 year history, our publishing house has gained a reputation as the home of contemporary Belarusian literature, publishing more than 1000 titles. Its bookstore in Minsk is a meeting place for artists, intellectuals, authors and readers, organizing cultural events and offering a full range of books from independent Belarusian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish publishers.

Today the whole project is in danger of extinction.

Dear Friends, we used to ask for money in return for our books, rather than as an act of charity. Today, we are trapped in an absurd and unjust situation which threatens not only the existence of Lohvinau Bookstore but which endangers the possibility to publish books freely in Belarus and to deliver them to the readers.

We have to pay this fine, equal to our annual turnover. Only with your support can our publishing house and bookstore could effectively continue its work.

Lohvinau must survive, let’s do it together!

Marathon

of writers and poets

January 16

Star selling of thanks How to become a star of Belarusian literature (in two easy steps)?

Everyone, who donated to save Lohvinau Bookstore gets his/hers personal star of fame.

We’re grateful for you support, and now your name shines on the sky of bookstore’s friends!

Take the binoculars and enjoy the dazzling view.

If you still don’t have a star - come and join!

January 30

February 3

Is your already shining on the ceiling of Bookstore?

There’s another chance to help us!

Initiate #SaveLohvinau Challenge,and your noble action will find its followers.

The rules are simple: take a picture of the book you’re reading at the moment mark the photo with #SaveLohvinau ask three friends to continue the relay Partici pant will have 24 hours to repeat your feat: take a pic, donate to the Bookstore, and to pass the baton to next books.

So, what are you reading now?

A quarter of the required amount has been collected only.

The Supreme Court has criticised Ihar Lohvinau’s appeal today, on February 10. The decision to fine the publisher for Br5.4 million and to confiscate the annual income of his bookshop ($63 304) has been left in force.

Fabruary 10

Charity art-auction

in support of the Lohvinau bookstore has started!

Within couple of weeks it has to pay an unmanageable fine. Belarusian and Polish artists have decided to donate their art works to help the Bookstore.

Fabruary 26

March 23

Lohvina큼 House of Literature is alive!