Baghdad: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities for Cultural Affairs, Dr. Fadhil Al-Badrani, underscored the Ministry’s commitment at the 27th Baghdad International Book Fair to fostering an informed and critical readership rather than focusing solely on book sales.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during a seminar titled “Culture and the Making of Awareness in a Time of Transformations,” which took place alongside the fair’s opening on Wednesday, Al-Badrani expressed honor in organizing the event. He emphasized the fair as a cultural bridge between Iraq and the wider world, highlighting the need to keep pace with global developments.

Al-Badrani highlighted culture’s role as a form of soft power, crucial for shaping awareness beyond being a source of recreation or seasonal festivity. He elaborated on the importance of various cultural mediums-books, theater, cinema, visual arts, music, journalism, universities, cultural institutions, museums, and heritage sites-in influencing individuals’ perceptions of themselves, their nation, and others.

He also addressed the significant challenge facing Iraqi culture: the shift from traditional to digital culture. Al-Badrani pointed out that the pertinent question now extends beyond merely how to read a book, delving into how to engage readers in a digital age where screens vie for attention with books.