Latvia banned the import of Russian books on September 1. That won’t get them off the shelves: booksellers say shipments will just clear customs elsewhere in the EU.
A Latvian ban on imports of certain goods from Russia and Belarus took effect on September 1. The restrictions cover not only clothing and children’s toys but also books. Latvian authorities say the ban is meant to sever economic ties with Russia and Belarus: Latvia intends to deprive both countries of some export revenue. The ban is also aimed at combating Russian propaganda in a country where…
On September 1, Latvia announced a ban on importing certain goods from Russia and Belarus, including books. The government hopes this will sever economic ties and prevent the flow of Russian propaganda. However, booksellers argue that shipments will simply bypass Latvia and clear customs in other EU countries. One of the largest book retailers in Latvia, MnogoKnig, has no plans to stop importing Russian books.
Even with the ban, Russian-language books remain popular among Latvian readers, particularly in regions with significant Russian-speaking populations. The ban may complicate logistics and increase prices, but booksellers believe Russian and Belarusian books will still be available on store shelves.
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