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1,500 Iranian book titles on display at Baghdad fair
Iran is turning out for its fourth appearance at the fair, with a 36-square-meter pavilion featuring a wide range of books that run the gamut from Islamic studies to literature, children’s books, university publications, and language learning materials.
Twenty-three Iranian publishers and cultural institutions are also weighing in on the event.
A memorandum of understanding between the Tehran International Book Fair and the Baghdad International Book Fair is also expected to be signed during the event, marking a significant step in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
The fair, which will run from September 12 to September 22, was officially opened by Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani, who was joined by other high-ranking government officials, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Minister of Education, the Governor of Baghdad, and the Deputy Minister of Trade. The event is being held under the theme “Iraq Reads,” which is aimed at getting Iraqis to pick up a book and read.
In his opening remarks, Al-Badrani said he was standing in for Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani at the event.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmad Al-Mubarak, pointed out that the fair plays a key role in boosting Iraq’s reading rate, which has been lagging behind in recent years.
Minister of Education Ibrahim Namis Al-Jubouri also on Friday said that the opening of the 25th edition of the book fair is evidence of Iraq’s stability and an occasion to support paper reading in the cultural scene after electronic books have dominated.
Al-Jubouri told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) during his attendance at the 25th session of the Baghdad International Book Fair: “Today we are witnessing the opening of the Baghdad book fair, and this is evidence of Iraq’s stability,” noting that “after the Baghdad International Book Fair, there will be a similar exhibition in Erbil, Mosul, Najaf and Basra.”.
He added that “the exhibition contributes to returning paper reading to the cultural scene, which has been dominated by electronic reading,” noting that “Iraq includes a large number of talents, intellectuals, scientists, writers, artists and academics, all of whom love reading.”
Sattar Al-Jabiri, Deputy Minister of Trade, highlighted the importance of book fairs as spaces for connection between authors, readers, and the broader cultural community.
He noted that the Ministry of Trade is committed to supporting cultural industries, including writing and publishing, as a key driver of Iraq’s socio-economic development.
The fair’s organizer, Sada Al-Aref Company, has brought together 600 publishers from 21 countries, including Arab and foreign nations, as well as writers and intellectuals from Iraq and the Arab world. The event will feature morning and evening seminars, as well as art exhibitions and play readings.
Abdul-Wahab Al-Radi, head of the Baghdad International Book Fair, said the event aims to make Baghdad a beacon of knowledge and culture, just as it was in the past.
He noted that the fair has been held for 24 years, despite various challenges, including wars, sanctions, and terrorism.