Foreign Guests of the “Creating the Future” Symposium Gifted Their Favorite Books to the Library of the National Center “Russia”

International participants of the “Creating the Future” Symposium brought inspiring books as gifts to the library of the National Center “Russia.” The guests hope that these unique literary works will leave a profound impression on Russian readers. The first gifts were presented by delegates from China and the United Arab Emirates.

Majid Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Museum of the Future (UAE), brought a book by the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, titled “My Vision, Challenges in the Pursuit of Excellence.” “My mother gifted me this book when I was in high school, and I spent countless nights engrossed in it. His Highness shares stories of his childhood and life experiences, which are truly inspiring. It is crucial that we think as globally as this man, and his thoughts and vision helped realize an exciting project like the Museum of the Future. I can say that I am also a student of His Highness’s school, and I am very proud of it. I hope that his words and ideas will inspire my Russian friends as much as they inspired me,” said Majid Al Mansouri.

Several books were added to the future library’s collection by distinguished guests from China. “These are three books from the famous Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem. I chose them because they were exclusively published in The World of Chinese Science Fiction magazine, making them renowned not only in China but globally. I appreciate that the National Center ‘Russia’ greatly contributes to developing ties between countries and demonstrates the belief that humanity has a brilliant future and will achieve its goals,” said Liu Yijing, Deputy Director of the editorial department of The World of Chinese Science Fiction magazine.

Alongside the publications gifted by international guests, the library of the National Center “Russia” will include examples of classic world literature that remain relevant over the years, as well as new works by both established and emerging talented authors. These books will help readers discover Russia from an unexplored perspective, broaden their horizons, and enrich home libraries with intriguing editions for all generations.

John Durrant, Honorary Consul of Russia in Canada, donated his over-100-year-old Russian language textbook to the library. “It was my first Russian language textbook, which I began learning on my own at 13. It was very hard to find a good textbook, so I decided to share my beginning with the National Center,” said John Durrant.

The National Center “Russia” itself will also act as a book publisher, launching 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 centerpiece of almost every home library.

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

The National Center “Russia” was established by order of President Vladimir Putin to preserve the legacy of the International Exhibition-Forum “Russia” and to showcase the achievements of the country and its people on a permanent basis. The center’s work involves federal authorities, state companies, corporations, and regions. The first event at the National Center “Russia” was the “Creating the Future” international symposium, attended by over 6,000 guests from 101 countries.