The 800 Years of Leipzig Fair [antikvár]

Leip^ig Fair celebrates its Sooth anniversary thisyear. No other International fair can look back on such a long tradition. The history of the Fair began in the days when individual merchants used to meet at the crossing of the great trade routes which ran athwart our continent in the Middle Ages, from North to South and from East to West. Today Leip^ig is the most significant meeting place of businessmen and economic experts from all over the world. Leip^ig, in the best sense of the words, is a city open to the whole world. Throughout its existence Leip^ig Fair has actively encouraged the improvement of intemational economic relations as well as friendship among the nations - a historic service to humanity! Firmly based on its 8oo-year tradition, Leip^ig Fair is now a fair of the first Germán peace state. It is a convincing expression of the policy of peace and understanding pursued by our republic, and alsó of the productive ability of our socialist economy. Leip^ig Fair has made its contribution to the Germán Democratic Republic's world reputation as a state of high standing and an important trading partner. Through the exhibitions of the Germán Democratic Republic and the other socialist countries, and through the participation in the Fair of theyoung states of Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as of the industrially developed capitalist countries of Europe and overseas, Leip^ig helps to extend trade between East and West. By encouraging intemational co-operation and peaceful trade, Leip^ig is actively promoting peaceful coexistence between states with different social systems. The rapid development of science and technology has introduced an additional feature to Leip^ig in the last few years. It has become a centre where the technological and scientific achievements of all nations may be compared. In addition to businessmen, more and more scientists, engineers, technologists and industrial designers visit the Fair and obtain information about world advances in science and technology. Leip^ig Fair demonstrates to the whole world that the nations can live peacefully side by side, can draw closer to each other. They do this by exchanging experiences, by engaging in peaceful economic competition and by building up, to their mutual advantage, economic relations stretching way beyond their borders. I wish the Leip^ig Jubilee Fair the fullest success and extend to all participants and visitors the greetings of the State Council of the Germán Democratic Republic, as well as my own personal good wishes. I wish the guests from all over the world in Leip^ig, the city of fairs, and in our republic, a pleasant stay and success in their business activities.