On the grounds of the Damascus Exhibition City, the Damascus International Book Fair continues its activities in an edition described as exceptional, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and under the supervision and guidance of the Presidency of the Republic. This edition marks the first major book event in Syria following the end of the previous ruling system, carrying symbolic meanings that extend beyond the cultural act itself to reaffirm knowledge as a cornerstone in rebuilding both the individual and society, at a time when pressing questions are being raised about the place of culture and its role in shaping the future.
Running until 16 February after a five-year hiatus, the fair asserts, through its broad participation and timely return, that reading is neither a luxury nor a marginal pursuit, but an existential and ethical necessity at the heart of societal renewal. The book, as this event powerfully conveys, is the primary gateway to cultivating awareness, anchoring values, and reconnecting people with their civilizational context, at a pivotal moment that calls for restoring meaning before form, and knowledge before construction.
This edition brings together more than 500 printing and publishing houses from 35 Arab and international countries, presenting over 100,000 titles spanning the full spectrum of human knowledge, from thought and philosophy to history and science, as well as literature, children’s books, and heritage studies. Qatar is featured as the Guest of Honour, in an official cultural presence that opens new horizons for intellectual exchange, reflects the diversity of the Arab cultural experience, and strengthens bridges of cooperation in publishing, translation, and the book industry.
The fair extends across an area of nearly 30,000 square metres, distributed among six main halls classified by thematic content, alongside a rich cultural programme comprising more than 650 events. These include intellectual seminars, dialogue sessions, literary and artistic evenings, workshops, and a political salon, in addition to the launch of seven cultural awards and a set of qualitative initiatives aimed at supporting publishing, young talents, and translation, affirming the fair’s role not merely as an exhibition, but as a living platform for culture and dialogue.
