Damascus, Jan. 21 (SANA) Syria is set to welcome the first post-liberation edition of the Damascus International Book Fair, scheduled to open on February 5 at Damascus Exhibition City. The fair, under the patronage of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marks a major step in restoring the country’s cultural presence on both the national and international stage.
The Ministry of Culture announced that the event will feature more than 500 publishing houses from 35 countries, showcasing over 100,000 titles spanning literature, history, and intellectual works. A program of more than 650 events will accompany the fair, including activities for children and youth, seminars, public forums, and sessions with over 500 writers, thinkers, and researchers.
The fair will also launch more than seven cultural awards, including prizes for the best Syrian, Arab, and international publishers, the best young publisher, children’s book publishers, and the “Personality of the Fair” award. Additional highlights include pavilions for Arabic calligraphy and the arts, a market for booksellers, a cultural salon featuring leading intellectual figures, and interactive technology and AI exhibits.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh described the fair as a “national unifying event”, linking Syrians through shared culture and connecting them to the global community via knowledge and learning. The fair’s slogan, “A History We Write… A History We Read,” reflects the goal of reclaiming Syria’s cultural narrative and restoring Damascus as a hub of learning and civilization.
Deputy Minister Saad Na’ssan emphasized that the event offers an opportunity to reshape Syrian cultural identity while engaging a new generation of readers and creators. Mohammad Hamza, Director-General of the Syrian Exhibition Organization, highlighted extensive logistical preparations, including exhibition hall setup, transportation, and security measures, to ensure the fair runs smoothly.
The Damascus International Book Fair will run for ten days, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and is being billed as the largest cultural event in Syria since the country’s liberation, reaffirming Damascus’ historical role as a regional center of culture and learning.
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