Palestine International Book Fair attracts readers in droves after long absence
Jerusalem24 – After four years of absence (in part due to Covid-19), the Palestine International Book Fair returned for its 12th edition on 14 September on the grounds of the National Library in Surda near Ramallah.
Under the slogan “Palestine, the homeland and Jerusalem, the capital”, the fair is hosting a staggering 350 publishing houses, as well as cultural institutions from Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Sharjah, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Italy.
150 Arab poets and writers are also directly participating in the fair through a series of cultural seminars and events.
The 12th edition of the book fair was inaugurated by PLO Executive Committee member Zeyad Abu Amr, representing President Mahmoud Abbas, along with Culture Minister Atef Abu Seif and Tunisian Ambassador Habib Ben Farah. The Republic of Tunisia is the guest of honor for 2022.
The fair runs until 24 September.
We asked both readers and writers (including some of the younger ones) what draws them to the fair this year – as well as to literature in general.
Nadeen Alshaer and Khalil Drabee report from the 12th International Book Fair in Surda.
