Ñhildren's book as the source of the spiritual image of new generations has always attracted the attention
of the creative intelligentsia and the Board on Books for Young People of Russia,that we have created as the
public organisation of the figures of literature, book culture for children with the support of the Russian
Cultural Foundation, that is also one of the creatures of the Russian creative intelligentsia. And although
in the sequence of the events of Russia in 1996 this event was not the most significant, it was very
significant for us, because this event characterized psychology of the Russian literary intellectuals and
artists devoted their lives to childhood and adolescence. Just these intellectuals of the previous and
nowadays generations completely altruistically preserved the open door into the world's culture.
The membership in IBBY and the participation in the IBBY programmes and projects - one of few
possibilities to avoid isolation, and almost the only possibility to be included into the contemporary
world's culture.Everything began in 60-ties. We realised, that Russian children's literature would be able to become a part of the world's children's literature of the 20-th century only entered the international community of professionals of the children's literature as the members of IBBY created in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. By that time there were about 20 countries in IBBY. At present - 68. I asked the Government to support our initiative to set up the National section of IBBY. The International Board on Books for Young People was developing simultaneously with our National section. IBBY became very prestigious in the world, its activity was supported by the outstanding figures of the All-World Children' s Literature. There were situations in the history of IBBY (for example, in the 70-s) when our National section organised the financial support to IBBY. By the way, Ilia Glazunov also joined this action. Our National section took part in many of the IBBY's projects. For example, the recognized and authoritative among the artists of the world International Bienniale of Illustrations in Bratislava (BIB). We used every possibility to present Russian literature and book culture for children to the international community. We do the same now. Our National section took part in all of the international congresses and seminars; took part in the juries of the different projects of IBBY, and also in the jury of the highest international award in the sphere of children's literature - H.Ch.Andersen's prize and the golden medal. On the nominations of our National section more than 40 writers, illustrators and translators of the former USSR were awarded the Honour Diplomas of the IBBY. Among them - B.Zachoder, V.Berestov, Yu.Kushak, I.Tokmakova, Ya.Akim, I.Ziedonis, S.Vangeli, K.Tangrykuliev, R.Sef and others. I called only writers. But in the catalogues of the laureates of the IBBY's Honour diplomas you can see the names of wonderful Russian illustrators and translators of the 20-th century. Eleven nominees from Russia were nominated for the golden medal of H.Ch.Andersen (they were - A.Barto, B.Dechtyarov, B.Diodorov, B.Zachoder, Yu. Koval, R.Pogodin, T.Mavrina, M.Miturich, L.Tokmakov, V.Chizhikov and S.Michalkov). In Russia only T. Mavrina was awarded this Golden Medal. But to be nominated for this international award is also the honour almost the same, as to be nominated for the Nobel Prize. In the World the golden medal of H.Ch.Andersen is called as "Little Nobel Prize". And although sometimes it was rather difficult, our National section always tried to nominate the candidates of Russia for the international awards, although it was connected not only with the organisation difficulties, but also with the financial difficulties. Such is the rule of membership in international organizations. Lately we were helped financially to nominate the candidates for the international awards by people, by the publishing houses specialised on publishing books for children. And not only by the publishing houses of Russia, but also of France, Japan, Italy. For example, in 1996 we were helped by the publishing houses "Argus" and "Samovar", the authorities of Arhangelski region, the authorities of Bashkorstan to nominate Russian writers and illustrators for the international awards of IBBY and to be the member of the international jury.
The beginning of 90-ties was very difficult for our National section. Because of the economic crisis the presence of Russian children's literature on the international markets and in the world's cultural process was under threaten. We were able to go out of this situation set up the Board on Books for Young People of Russia.How it often has been in Russia we helped ourselves by ourselves. Writers, artists, businessmen, private publishing houses, libraries, houses of children's book and children's newspapers, Russian Cultural Foundation helped us to create the Board on Books for Young People of Russia, helped to do it to the extent of their realising the importance of our aims and mission. But they helped, and this is very important for us!
Sergei Mikhalkov