Damascus, Feb. 16 (SANA) Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Monday with a group of Arab poets, writers and intellectuals participating in the Damascus International Book Fair, according to a statement published on the Culture Ministry’s Telegram channel.
The meeting was attended by Culture Minister Mohammad Yassin al-Saleh and his deputy, Saad Naasan.
Discussions focused on the role of culture in strengthening Arab ties and the importance of books in promoting knowledge and openness. Participants also addressed the state of the literary movement in the region and prospects for its development, the statement said.
President al-Sharaa listened to the visiting writers’ impressions of the fair, which they described as a platform for dialogue among creatives from across the Arab world. He praised the organizers’ efforts to ensure the success of the current edition.
The culture minister briefed attendees on the fair’s program of events and intellectual forums, saying the aim was to provide a space for cultural exchange and professional dialogue. He added that the exhibition featured broad participation from publishing houses and authors from Syria and abroad.
The Damascus International Book Fair opened on Feb. 6 at the capital’s fairgrounds and runs through Feb. 16, bringing together institutions from 35 countries.
