After years away, Iran makes literary return to Algiers book fair
Iran’s publishing industry returned to the Algiers International Book Fair after years of absence, marking its re-entry into one of Africa’s largest cultural gatherings.
The 28th edition of the fair opened on Wednesday at the Pins Maritimes Exhibition Palace under the theme “The Book: A Meeting Place of Cultures,” IRNA reported.
The event runs from October 29 to November 8, 2025, bringing together 1,254 publishing houses from 49 countries and showcasing more than 240,000 book titles. Mauritania is this year’s guest of honor.
Iran’s participation, coordinated by the Iran Book and Literature House in cooperation with the country’s cultural center in Algiers, features a diverse range of works spanning literature, history, art, and children’s books.
The return follows what officials described as years of “persistent effort” to reestablish Iran’s cultural presence in the North African market.
Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb inaugurated the fair alongside Algeria’s Culture Minister and her Mauritanian counterpart, who led the guest delegation. Senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives of national institutions also attended the ceremony.
Crowds poured into the exhibition halls on opening day, with many visitors stopping by the Iranian booth to browse Persian titles and pose for photos beside the Iranian flag, a gesture organizers described as a sign of “warm public reception.”
This year’s fair, held on the eve of the 71st anniversary of Algeria’s revolution, features more than 50 cultural events, including lectures, panel discussions, and poetry evenings focusing on history, creativity in the digital age, and the Palestinian cause.