‘The World Speaks Kurdish’: Erbil Set to Host 17th International Book Fair

The city of Erbil is preparing to host one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Middle East, as the 17th Erbil International Book Fair is set to open its doors on April 9 at Sami Abdul Rahman Park. The ten-day exhibition, which will run through April 19, promises to be a dynamic convergence of literature, language, and intellectual exchange.

Organized annually by Al-Mada Foundation for Media, Culture and Arts, the fair is held under the patronage of President Masoud Barzani and in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Youth of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

In a statement to Kurdistan24, Al-Mada Foundation confirmed that this year’s edition will host 350 publishing houses from 22 Arab and international countries, showcasing a vast array of literary and scholarly works.

Among the participants are publishing houses from neighboring countries, the Arab Maghreb, and the Gulf region—some of whom will be attending for the first time.

The theme of this year’s fair, “The World Speaks Kurdish,” underscores the growing global recognition of the Kurdish language. It reflects recent momentum in translating international literature into Kurdish, and it celebrates major milestones such as Google's official inclusion of Kurdish in its language portfolio.

The fair is set across an expansive area of 20,000 square meters, offering ample space for browsing, interaction, and dialogue.

Beyond its traditional role as a marketplace for books, the Erbil International Book Fair continues to evolve into a vibrant forum for cultural diplomacy and intellectual exchange. The event’s agenda features a wide range of panels and debates on translation, language preservation, and literary innovation, with the participation of notable Kurdish and Arab thinkers, writers, and translators.

These sessions will explore the state of the publishing industry, linguistic challenges, and the future of Kurdish-language literature.

In coordination with the Association of Iraqi Publishers and Libraries, the fair will also host workshops focusing on the development of the book industry in Iraq and the broader region. Additionally, cultural dialogues and literary discussions will be organized in collaboration with the Union of Iraqi Writers and Authors.

The program includes poetry readings, author meet-and-greets, and book signings, ensuring that attendees experience not just books, but also the stories and people behind them.

Al-Mada Foundation confirmed that artistic performances and specialized panels on issues affecting Iraq and the wider region will also be part of the exhibition’s activities. These events are designed to bridge cultures and provoke thought at a time when literature plays an increasingly important role in shaping public discourse.

The Erbil International Book Fair continues to be a testament to the city’s growing stature as a cultural capital in the region, reaffirming the importance of intellectual freedom, cultural diversity, and linguistic identity in an era of global transformation.

(Source:Kurdistan24)