Support for the publishing of books and periodicals in the area of culture is traditionally provided through grant competitions organised by the MC. This includes support for the publication of Czech literature abroad. Literature is also among the areas covered in the Concept of Support for the Arts for 2015-2020.
Other areas involved in the promotion of Czech literature abroad are also supported, most notably, participation at international book fairs. Since 2016 the work of preparing Czech national representation at these fairs has been delegated to a contributory organisation of the MC, namely the Moravian Library in Brno. In 2019 the CR was the main guest country at the Leipzig book fair (see here).
In 2017 the Czech Literary Centre was established as an agency that operates under the Moravian Library in Brno, and its purpose is to engage in the consistent and systematic promotion of Czech literature and book culture and increase their visibility both abroad and in the CR. It also supports literary residencies.
After lengthy discussions, in 2015 a decrease in the VAT on printed publications to 10% was accepted. Since 1 May 2020, e-books and audiobooks are also subject to the new lower tarrif of 10% (down from 21%), as are library user fees (down from 21%), and sales of colouring books and maps (down from 15%).
Debate is underway also on the possibility of reducing VAT on books to zero due the Covid 19 crisis.
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