Istanbul: The 11th International Istanbul Arabic Book Fair kicked off in Turkiye on Saturday. Running until Aug. 23, the event is held under the theme "The Story Continues", bringing together over 300 publishing houses from over 30 countries.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar's Ministry of Culture is participating with a remarkable booth, confirming its commitment to supporting the movement of publication and knowledge, as well as projecting Qatari intellectual production in the areas of literature, poetry, thought, and arts. This participation also strengthens the presence of Qatari culture in Arab forums.
Syria is participating as a guest of honor, along with Algeria, Oman, Morocco, Kuwait, and representatives of international civil society organizations. Dignitaries from the domains of culture, art, and politics are also present at the fair.
In his opening remarks, President of the International Association of Arab Book Publishers Mehdi Al Jumaili emphasized that the fair is not only about showcasing or selling books but also serves as a platform to debate issues facing the Islamic nation. Dr. Yasin Aktay, former advisor to the Turkish president, highlighted the theme as spanning the story of a unified nation, hoping that the event would strengthen people-to-people bonds in the Islamic world.
Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhyiddin Al Qaradaghi, called for prioritizing the issue of the Palestinian people and directing aid to the Gaza Strip through all possible means. He stressed the importance of reading in people's lives and the need to intensify events and contests related to reading, translation, and support for publishing houses.
The expo is the largest of its kind beyond the Arab world and receives significant approval from Cairo-based Arab publishers. It aims to be the foremost platform for those involved in publishing and academic culture. The fair dedicates spaces for students, journalists, and researchers from various nationalities interested in the Arabic language.
As part of the activities, publishers, authors, academics, translators, graphic designers, and representatives of the publishing industry are converging in the Copyright and Translation Rights section to discuss new projects, copyright, and international cooperation. The TULIA (Turkish Literature in Arabic) project is also participating, aiming to deliver Turkish literature to a broader audience around the Arab world and accelerate translation from Turkish into Arabic. Turkish writers and translators are present at a dedicated booth to familiarize visitors with translated works and activities in this field.