The article presents the results of the 5th Festival of Book and Reading, which year by year involves more and more places and people. Author emphasizes the fact that reading (in any form, traditional or electronic) is a basis of knowledge, describes the difficult moments in book history, including prohibition, burning, drawing out the inventory, sanctions against authors and even readers. Among prohibited books, in different times and countries, often were those that later became the most important literary masterpieces of the world. The author makes a parallel between NFBR and similar manifestations in other countries, emphases the importance of involving in organization of activities of such ampleness consecrated people and state or government authorities.