The recent books by Dina Rubina, an attractive display of her refined paraphernalia and many other things were discussed on the last day of the Community Festival of Jewish Books (CFJB) in Astana.

There was a novelties exhibition. All of them were created at a high artistic level of printing: Bella Chagall (drawings are made with love by Marc Chagall), ironic Eduard Topol, enigmatic Benjamin Weizmann with his work "Mr Corpse."

Our historians and other curious public were pleased by CFJB. There are answers to many questions in the book by Shlomo Zanda "Who and How Invented Jewish People". A novel "Man in the System" by a publicist Michael Weller will help to strengthen character. Boris Pasternak was presented by his "People and the Situation". A book about the bitter fate of the Jewish people during World War II by Alexandr Ermakov, "Wehrmacht against the Jews. War of extermination", was also put on show at the CFJB. Poet Andrey Dementiev delighted readers with his poetic cycle "Leaning on the Holy Land".

A particular attention was payed to the exposition of new books for children. Well illustrated fairy tales by Korney Chukovskiy, Grigory Oster, poems by Samuil Marshak, funny verses and nursery rhymes were displayed. Those who are interested can borrow these editions from the Hesed library to read and learn the new songs and poems with their children and grandchildren.

New works were presented by the co-ordinator of the program "Jewish tradition" Mikhail Lazarevich Kreychman who made a general review of the literature. Our book lovers took an active part in the work of CFJB. Warm words were addressed to Tatiana Pasternak and Albina Olkhovskaya, who gave books from their personal libraries to the community as a gift.

One way or another, the books are part of life of each Jew. Our neighbours name Jews "the people of the book", and this calls for a great responsibility.

Ludmila Tsymbalyuk