Just right to sound alarm or How we reached life such?

Kobrin → Outstanding persons → Alexey Mikhaylovich Martynov

Not to consider the sublime words told by the best representatives of mankind in a praise to the book. Not without reason enthusiasts bibliophiles call book-depositories temples of wisdom. And if it so, then the fair shred of the aura which is due to libraries by right has to be carried also on "suppliers", i.e. on direct suppliers of book production - book warehouses and equivalent shops.

It is thought, it will be useful to track in brief as the book-selling situation in Kobrin in the foreseeable past was and what reached today. At the beginning of this century in the city with the population of 11-12 thousand "souls" the majority was completely illiterate, but there were two book, they "paper stationery", shop, belonging to Abramovich and Palevsky. Located almost near on of that time Babruysk (now Lenin St.), they partly not unsuccessfully competed and at the same time complemented the range of goods of each other, working with t. obr. for the benefit of national education and on pleasure not so numerous local bibliophiles. If to consider that textbooks for schools of the city and large county (I will remind its borders: in the West - Zhabinka, in the east - Ivanovo) were delivered mainly by these dealers, it is necessary to believe that they had not to complain of the income. During the "Polish" period to this couple two more were added on: one at the beginning of Pervomayskaya St., the second - near it, on Rynochnaya Square. Surprisingly but contrary to the most severe economic crisis all of them made ends meet, as they say, stayed afloat.

In Soviet period at us two shops which were repeatedly changing the addresses were engaged in distribution of literature. One, voyentorgovsky, removed to a military camp subsequently. The second – raypotrebsoyuzovskiya for which the special building was built. Thought-provoking fact: if for post-war half a century, at repeated expansion of city boundaries and continuous growth of the population, there were diversified "outlets", then book-trade until now should be content with the one and only shop modestly...

If still rather recently regular supply with book novelties at us was steadily tolerant, then in recent years situation sharply changed for the worse. Counters even more often began to be filled with the "davalshchitsky" literature marketed by the population. Now the latest editions removed directly on sidewalks where modern ofen stoically throw down a challenge to any vagaries of the weather.

To a certain extent a characteristic indicator of uncontrollable crisis of book-trade I would call gradual disappearance in shop of the book racks which were earlier restricted closely along narrow passes. The remained racks modestly press close only along walls. And that the part them instead of the beseeming literature even more often is filled with goods which at the most rough revelry of the imagination in any way not to carry to what to the vyspreena is called "spiritual food". Bewilderment causes that among them completely there are no paper stationery products.

Really tremendous fact induced to share with readers thoughts "on the set subject" me. Recently among other "alien" goods for a sign of bookstore in a red corner bottles with the most real vodka appeared. As they say, arrived! After all, in representation of each of us book-trade is one of indispensable links of culture. And if goods, then incomparably higher manner. How here not to quote very pertinent in this case aphorism: "Alcoholism and culture - here two poles which are mutually excluding each other as ice and fire, light and darkness".

Certainly, I completely realize what dismal situation forced our devotees-knigotorgovok to make up the mind to so desperate step. And still I cannot keep not to address to them with the earnest request: clean bottles, shameful for them, from book shelves rather! Believe, boozers have more habitual addresses, to you they will not go. It is necessary in the most adverse conditions to observe elementary decorum and furthermore not to soil "official authority" the prestige of which always was rather high. And in conclusion quite appropriate to express fear that if not to stop so nefortunny experiment in a germ, then triumphal procession of a green serpent can capture other, rather defenseless city centers of culture.
 



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