The Istanbul International Arab Book Fair, organized in cooperation with Anadolu Agency (AA) as global communications partner, has opened its doors at the Istanbul Fair Center.
This year’s fair is taking place for the ninth time and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors with around 300 publishers from 30 countries.
Organized by the Press and Publishing Association, the International Arabic Book Publishers Association and the Turkish Publishers Association, the fair offers a wide range of events, including book exhibitions, panel discussions and workshops.
Sumeyra Inanc, the fair’s coordinator, said: “We are hosting nearly 300 publishers from 30 countries this year. There are three to four conferences every day, covering topics such as the Palestinian issue and issues of interest to the Arab diaspora. We also have a language corner highlighting the links between Arabic and Turkish words and an art exhibition featuring works by various artists. Our main goal is to address global issues.”
Focus on Arabic-Turkish publishing cooperation
Inanc stressed that this event is the largest fair in Turkey for Arab book publishers. “This year we have our second ‘Copywrite’ corner, where we facilitate discussions between Turkish and Arab publishers so that works published in Turkey can reach readers in the Arab world,” she added.
She stressed the importance of recognizing the cultural values of the Arab minority in Turkey and supporting their needs in the field of literature and culture.
“These communities have needs and contributions in literature and culture just like everyone else. We want to show the commonalities we share,” Inanc noted.
Among the young visitors, Muhammed Dyab Agha shared his enthusiasm for the fair and said: “I bought a book about Ottoman sultans. My favorite sultan is Sultan Mehmed II. There are also fairy tale books and books by (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and Atatürk. The fair is very beautiful.”
Another young visitor, Hamza Hamad, mentioned that the fair was a pleasant surprise for him and that he wanted to buy books on Islamic history.
Several authors are expected to speak at the event, including Muhammed El Sahir, who will deliver a lecture on “The Importance of Studying Biography for the Ummah” on August 17.
On August 18, Muhammed El Uvady will speak on the topic “Brutality in our time” and Muhammed Ilhami will present “From the Pages of History”.
The fair, which opened under the slogan “Books are the future,” ends on August 18.
