Ukrainian Book Institute calls on the state to pay millions in debts to publishers

Ukrainian Book Institute calls on the state to pay millions in debts to publishers

Kyiv  •  UNN

December 26 2023, 11:17 AM • 36569 views

The Ukrainian Book Institute (UIK) expressed its concern over the inability of the state to finance the expenses of publishers under the institute's programs.

The state owes publishers 44.94 million hryvnias for participating in programs to support book publishing and popularize Ukrainian literature in the world. This is stated in the appeal of the state institution "Ukrainian Book Institute" to the Minister of Finance and the head of the State Treasury, UNN reports.

Details

The Ukrainian Book Institute appealed to the Minister of Finance and the Head of the State Treasury Service of Ukraine regarding the state's debt under various UIC programs in which Ukrainian and foreign publishers participated.

The total amount of debt under the programs implemented to support book publishing and popularize Ukrainian literature in the world is UAH 44,935,482.81.

This amount includes debt:

- UAH 33.13 million to the participants of the artistic competition for projects aimed at publishing books according to the established thematic priorities;

- UAH 1.79 million to project implementers to organize and conduct reading promotion events;

- to the participants of the translation support program - UAH 10.01 million.  

It is noted that not only Ukrainian publishers have not received the money . Thus, there are also debts to  foreign publishers who have invested their own money in publishing Ukrainian books.

This calls into question the Ukrainian Book Institute's further cooperation with them (foreign publishers - ed.). After the publicity, it will be even more difficult for us to find those interested in publishing Ukrainian books abroad in the coming years. In addition, translations from Ukrainian are still not in sufficient demand in different countries, and the lack of payment for already implemented projects will only complicate the position of Ukrainian books in the world

- the UIC emphasized.

Addendum

The Ukrainian Book Institute added that, despite the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian and foreign participants responded and supported projects aimed at developing Ukrainian culture and book publishing in particular. 

At the same time, the state does not reimburse expenses,  thus further aggravating the situation in which the Ukrainian book publishing industry finds itself.

For reference

The Ukrainian Book Institute (UBI) is an institution under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine aimed at shaping state policy in the book industry, promoting book reading in Ukraine, supporting book publishing, stimulating translation activities, and popularizing Ukrainian literature abroad.

Recall

Meanwhile, the Center for National Resistance reports that the Russian Academy of Sciences is seeking to distribute its propaganda literature internationally through library exchange programs.

In this way, the Kremlin is trying to justify Russia's claims to the occupied regions of Ukraine and simulate global support for Moscow's military actions.