5 — 8 July 2023, there took place the First Forum of the Libraries of the New Russian Territories in Rostov-on-Don.

The event was organized within the framework of the humanities project “BiblioDonbass” initiated by the M. Rudomino All Russia State Library for Foreign Literature with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Rostov region and the Ministry of Culture of Rostov region.

Over 300 delegates of republican, municipal and rural libraries, the officials of the authorities of culture of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhskaya and Kherson regions, as well as 70 expert heads and staff of ministries, federal and central libraries of Russian regions, higher education institutions and publishing houses gathered to share experience and expertise in diverse fields of library activities.

Minister of culture of the Russian Federation Olga B. Liubimova addressed her video greetings to the attendees of the forum. Ms Liubimova emphasized the importance of integration of the libraries of the new territories into the Russian library environment. Then the guests of the forum events were greeted by state secretary Nadezhda A.Prepodobnaya, president of the Russian Book Union Sergey V. Stepashin, director of the Department of the Government Support of Periodical Press and Book Industry of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Grigoriyev, first deputy governor of Rostov region Igor A. Guskov, the director general of M. Rudomino All Russia State Library for Foreign Literature Pavel L. Kuzmin, and Artemy, Bishop of Taganrog, Vicar of the Rostov Diocese.

6—7 July 2023, at the Don State Public Library there was organized work of five parallel section meetings, master classes and special events. The attendees shared their experience in financial and economic library activities management, modernization of state and municipal libraries, realization of socio-cultural projects. They would also discuss problems of cultural heritage preservation, of library acquisition and preservation, as well as other matters of importance.

The forum participants could enjoy a rich excursion agenda. It consisted of visits to the Rostov Region Museum of Fine Arts, to Taganrog Museum Reserve, to the "Sambek Heights" Museum of Great Patriotic War, Novocherkassk Museum of History of Don Cossacks, etc.