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.
