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The 10th Istanbul International Arab Book Fair opened its doors to readers Saturday in Istanbul under the slogan “Arabic to Remain,” bringing together more than 300 publishers. The event runs until August 17.
The first day of the book fair drew 9,317 visitors, with attendance rising steadily to reach 40,000 by the fourth day, according to the organizers.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul attended the opening ceremony along with several Turkish officials and Arab, Turkish, and international authors.
The fair that is held annually in Istanbul is considered the largest Arab cultural event in Türkiye and the biggest Arab book fair outside the Arab world, accredited by the Arab Publishers Association.
The fair, held at the Yenikapı Exhibition Center in Istanbul, features participation from more than 20 countries, along with numerous universities, schools, and civil society organizations.
The fair, a nonprofit initiative, stands as the largest cultural event of its kind, bringing together tradition and modernity. It is also the largest international Arabic book fair held outside the Arab world.
The fair is organized by the International Association of Arabic Book Publishers, in coordination with the Turkish Publishers Association and the Union of Turkish Publishers, and with support from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
This year the book fair is held under the slogan “Arabic To Remain ,” carrying a symbolic message affirming that the Arabic language remains vibrant and thriving even beyond the Arab world—particularly in the heart of Istanbul, home to a large Arab community. The event aims to strengthen the status of Arabic among diaspora communities and build a living cultural bridge between Arabs and Turks, especially given the strong presence of Arabic language students at Turkish universities, according to Samer Al-Saadi, the fair’s Deputy General Coordinator, speaking to Arabic news outlets.
Al-Saadi noted the launch of a special section for discounted books, along with a partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation’s “With Arabic” initiative to teach Arabic to non-native speakers. A new section will also be dedicated to Turkish literature translated into Arabic, alongside permanent features such as the Language Corner, the art exhibition, the children’s area, and educational institutions.
In his opening ceremony speech, the fair’s General Coordinator, Mehmet AgırAkca, said the event is “a cultural gathering in Istanbul aimed at members of the diaspora, lovers of the Arabic language, and youth in Türkiye.” He stressed that “Arabic has been here for a long time and will remain, and with the continuity of Islam and Muslims, the Arabic language will continue.”
For his part, the Governor of Istanbul said in his speech that “the Arabic language is not only for Arab communities; it is also a language of culture and civilization, as it was in the past. It is important to learn it, and just as we care about the Turkish language, we should also care about the Arabic language.”
Meanwhile, Mehdi Al-Jumaili, President of the International Association of Arab Book Publishers, said in his speech that “the Arabic language will endure as long as the bonds that unite Muslims remain, as it connects Arabs with Turks and Kurds.” He noted that “Türkiye has become a hub for the transit of Arabic books—printed in Arab countries and in Istanbul—to Europe and the rest of the world.”
A highlight of this year’s fair is a small section of the Egyptian Cultural Center’s pavilion in Istanbul, affiliated with the El-Sharq Culture and Media Association, featuring crafted replicas of artifacts from the Museum of Egyptian Civilization at the Al-Sharq headquarters.
Chairman of the Board of the Al Sharq Association for Culture and Media, Dr. Ayman Nour, noted that the center’s participation is part of the association’s broader strategy to foster cooperation with intellectual and creative institutions and to open channels of dialogue between Arab and Turkish scholars, emphasizing that culture and knowledge remain the strongest tools for bringing peoples closer together.
Palestinian activist and former prisoner Nael Barghouthi was a prominent visitor to the book fair on Tuesday and participated with The organizing committee of the Book Fair on a protest under the title of “The Free Voice of Gaza… Martyrs of the Truth,” denouncing the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation in Gaza and the targeting of journalists Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqa while they were performing their professional duty of conveying the truth from steadfast Gaza.
“We, the fair’s organizers, along with participating journalists from various countries, affirm that targeting media professionals is a war crime and a blatant violation of freedom of speech and the public’s right to know. We hold the international community fully responsible for the continuation of the genocide that is claiming the lives of members of the free press,” the statement said.
The organizers called on all human rights and media organizations worldwide to work toward protecting journalists in Gaza, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, and safeguarding the media’s role as the voice of the oppressed everywhere.
The statement also condemned international complicity in the crimes of the occupation and the shameful silence of Arab and Islamic states in the face of this “dirty war.” It concluded with prayers for Gaza’s martyrs, wishing patience and solace for their families, and vowing to keep the flame of the free word alive.
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