Iraq International Book Fair to Host 350 Publishing Houses

The third edition of the Iraq International Book Fair is set to kick off in Baghdad next month.
The third edition of the Iraq International Book Fair is set to kick off in Baghdad next month.
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Iraq International Book Fair to Host 350 Publishing Houses

The third edition of the Iraq International Book Fair is set to kick off in Baghdad next month.
The third edition of the Iraq International Book Fair is set to kick off in Baghdad next month.

The third edition of the Iraq International Book Fair is set to kick off in Baghdad next month. Running from December 7 to 17, the event is organized by Al-Mada for Media Culture & Arts, a media and cultural foundation that moved from Damascus to Baghdad after 2003 

Over 350 Iraqi and Arabic publishing houses from 20 countries will take in the event. Given the exceptional role it plays among the Iraqi and Arabic publishing houses, Dar Al Mada will boast the largest pavilion to display its massive, annual productions.   

This year’s edition has been named after Hadi al-Alawi (1932-1998), an Iraqi, Islamic intellect, historian, and linguist.  

According to the Ihab Al-Qaisi, director of the book fair, the nomination after Alawi has been made for “the role he played over 50 years in studying the Islamic and Arabic modern, scientific renaissance, the unique ideas he had about the Orient, and his deep knowledge of the Chinese and Islamic civilizations.” 

Qaisi said that panels hosting experts to speak about Alawi and his creative journey will be held every day during the book fair. In addition, a bust of the late Iraqi intellect will be unveiled during the event.  

For this year’s edition, Dar Al Mada reprinted all Alawi’s works in a step that aims at introducing a new generation to his works.   

The fair is set to host a number of intellectual and cultural sessions with the participation of thinkers and writers from Iraq and other Arab countries. It will also host poetry readings, book signings, art exhibits and seminars exploring the political movement in Iraq. 

Iraqi cultural and artistic institutions, including the Iraqi Scientific Academy, the Union of Iraqi Writers, and the House of Cultural Affairs, will participate in the fair. 



King Abdulaziz Library Branch at Beijing University Enhances Arab-Chinese Cultural Interaction

The King Abdulaziz Public Library branch at Beijing University hosted a series of cultural events in October. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library branch at Beijing University hosted a series of cultural events in October. SPA
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King Abdulaziz Library Branch at Beijing University Enhances Arab-Chinese Cultural Interaction

The King Abdulaziz Public Library branch at Beijing University hosted a series of cultural events in October. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library branch at Beijing University hosted a series of cultural events in October. SPA

The King Abdulaziz Public Library branch at Beijing University hosted a series of cultural events in October aimed at enhancing cooperation and communication between Arab and Chinese cultures.

The branch welcomed Shanghai Art Collection Museum president Hu Muqing, whose visit was part of efforts to strengthen cultural and artistic collaboration between the two institutions.

During the visit, Muqing was introduced to the library's various sections and cultural programs. He discussed with library officials the potential for future cooperation in organizing joint exhibitions and launching cultural and artistic projects that combine Saudi and Chinese cultural heritage. The two sides explored the possibility of holding events to exchange art collections and artifacts, which would expand the horizons of artistic exchange between the two nations.

The library branch also received a delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA), led by its General Director of Planning and Development for Grants, Dr. Maha Al-Mozaini. The visit aimed to enhance cultural and academic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, with discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in energy, industrial leadership, sustainable development, and healthcare.

As part of its periodic scientific and cultural seminars, the library branch, in cooperation with the Languages Faculty, hosted a cultural and educational seminar on the experience of teaching Arabic and Chinese languages in Egypt. The event was attended by academics and experts in the fields of language, culture, and education from both countries, along with a large number of students interested in language learning and cultural communication.

A delegation from Tianjin Publishing House visited the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch to enhance cultural and intellectual cooperation between the two parties. The visit included a tour of the library's various sections, featuring Arabic and Chinese books as well as photos, manuscripts, documents, and cultural materials that contribute to reinforcing the foundation of knowledge-based relations between Arab and Chinese cultures.