Foreign guests donated their favorite books to the library of the National Centre RUSSIA

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International participants of the "Inventing the Future" Symposium brought to the library of the National Centre RUSSIA books that inspired them. The guests hope that these unique literary works will make as strong an impression on readers in Russia. The first gifts were presented by delegates from China and the United Arab Emirates.

The Executive Director of the Museum of the Future (UAE), Majed al-Mansoori, brought the book "My Vision, Challenges in the Race for Excellence" by UAE Prime Minister and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"My mother gave me this book when I was in high school, and I spent countless nights absorbed in it. His Highness shares stories from his childhood, growing up, and his life, which is truly inspiring. It’s essential for us to think globally as he does, and his thoughts and vision helped to realize such an exciting project as the Museum of the Future. So, I can say I’m also a student of His Highness’s school, and I’m very proud of that. I hope his words and ideas will inspire my Russian friends as much as they did me," said Majed al-Mansoori.

Several books were added to the future library’s collection by esteemed guests from China. For example, these included books from Jiang Xue, Head of Cultural Development at the Science Fiction Museum; Wang Nuonuo, a science fiction writer; and Liu Yijing, deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine "World of Chinese Science Fiction."

"Here are three books by renowned Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, 'The Three-Body Problem.' I chose them because they were exclusively published by the magazine 'World of Chinese Science Fiction' and, thanks to that, became well-known not only in China but around the world. I admire that the National Centre RUSSIA greatly contributes to building international ties and shares the belief that humanity has a bright future and will achieve its goals," noted Liu Yijing, deputy editor-in-chief of "World of Chinese Science Fiction."

Alongside books donated by foreign guests, the library of the National Centre RUSSIA will feature classics of world literature that have remained relevant over the years, as well as new books by both well-known and emerging talented authors. These books will help readers explore Russia from a fresh perspective, broaden their horizons, and enhance their home libraries with fascinating works for all generations.

John Molera, Director of Policy and Research at DD Geopolitics, gifted Arthur C. Clarke’s novel "Childhood’s End" to the library of the National Centre RUSSIA, and John Durrant, Honorary Consul of Russia in Canada, donated his over-100-year-old Russian language textbook to the library of the National Centre.

"This is my first Russian language textbook, and I started learning it on my own at the age of 13. It was very difficult to find a good textbook. I decided to share my beginnings with the National Centre," said John Durrant.

The National Centre RUSSIA will also take on the role of a publisher, releasing a series of books for the whole family. The first in the series will be "Professor Puzzle's Puzzles" by Mikhail Gershenzon, which was once a mainstay in almost every home library.

International participants of the "Inventing the Future" Symposium shared which books they read in childhood and adolescence that had the greatest impact on their lives and careers. For example, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl shared that she was influenced by "The Prophet" by Lebanese poet and artist Gibran Kahlil Gibran. Chilean Robotics Association President Rodrigo Andres Quevedo Silva enthusiastically spoke about Papelucho, the main character of a series of children’s books by Chilean writer Marcela Paz.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government bodies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work. The first event at the National Centre RUSSIA was the International Symposium "Inventing the Future," which welcomed more than 6,000 guests from 101 countries.