Baghdad: The 27th Baghdad International Book Fair kicked off in Baghdad on Wednesday, with wide participation from local, Arab, and international publishing houses. The event, which drew official, cultural, and literary figures, reaffirms the fair’s status as a leading intellectual and cultural gathering that brings together writers, readers, and intellectuals from within Iraq and abroad.
According to Iraqi News Agency, officials affirmed during the opening ceremony, which was attended by a correspondent, that “the exhibition represents a platform for dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and intercultural communication. It reflects Baghdad’s historical status as a center of science and knowledge, in addition to its role in supporting reading and promoting investment in human capital and culture.” The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Fadhil al-Badrani, emphasized in his opening remarks that “the 27th Baghdad International Book Fair serves as a platform for dialogue and an open space to enhance intellectual exchange between Iraq and various countries around the world, carrying a message of human awareness emanating from the capital, Baghdad.” He added that “this edition is organized in partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Sada al-Aref Company, under the chairmanship of Abdul Wahab al-Radi, head of the preparatory committee, and enjoys direct governmenta
l support and attention to promote science, thought, and culture.” He noted that “the exhibition has witnessed broad participation, with 618 local, Arab, and international publishing houses representing 28 countries, including 17 Arab countries and 11 foreign countries, among them the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Turkey, and Iran.” He explained that “the Ministry of Culture’s participation included seven pavilions.” Specialized, in addition to a specialized wing for the Institute of Folk Heritage; With the aim of highlighting the historical depth and identity of Iraq,’ he emphasized that ‘the exhibition is not limited to displaying books, but goes beyond that to create a space for cooperation and communication between official and civil institutions and the international community.’
For his part, the head of the Publishers Union and head of the exhibition’s preparatory committee, Abdul Wahab Al-Radi, welcomed Baghdad’s guests, affirming that ‘the capital has always been a center of science, knowledge, and culture, and a living memory of human civilization.’
In his speech, Al-Radi said, ‘Baghdad was not merely a city, but rather a center of cultural influence, and its people have contributed to the ongoing development of humanity and its advancement since the earliest stages of human history.’
He pointed out that ‘writing, legislation, administration, and the translation of sciences are intertwined with Iraq’s history,’ citing legal and regulatory tablets, the House of Wisdom, and the Mustansiriya School, which he considered a testament to Baghdad’s pioneering role in education and knowledge.
He explained that ‘discussing books in Baghdad is not limited to paper and reading, but is linked to a heritage deeply rooted in the history of the city and its people,’ emphasizing that ‘reading represents one of the most important foundations of intellectual development.’ And his tools.