For the first time, the Arab World Institute (AWI) in Paris joins the fair with a dedicated stand, showcasing publications on Arab world topics in Arabic and French.
After an enforced hiatus in 2024 due to conflict, the Beirut Arab Book Fair is back for its 66th edition, running from 15–25 May at the Seaside Arena.
Organised by the Arab Cultural Club, this year’s event takes place without the official involvement of the Lebanese Publishers Syndicate, which may hold its own fair later this year. Despite attempts by Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh to unify stakeholders, divisions remain.
Industry Representation and International Engagement
This edition features 134 Lebanese publishers alongside eight Arab publishers, reaffirming a commitment to literature amid Lebanon’s shifting cultural landscape.
While key publishers of French and English-language titles – who participated in the 2023 alternative event – are absent, foreign-language books remain available through select exhibitors.
For the first time, the Arab World Institute (AWI) in Paris joins the fair with a dedicated stand, showcasing publications on Arab world topics in Arabic and French.
Strengthening Cultural Exchange and Accessibility
A key objective of the fair is enhancing Arab cultural exchange, with participation from institutions such as the Doha International Book Fair and publishers from Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Publishers have been encouraged to make books more accessible by offering discounts of up to 25%.
Diverse Literary and Cultural Programming
The fair’s programme spans 66 conferences and roundtables, tackling themes such as theatre, cinema, geopolitics, economics, and contemporary Arab identity. Book signings will highlight works examining Lebanon’s recent upheavals alongside broader literary and artistic reflections.
Special tributes include an Elias Khoury retrospective (19 May), a discussion on Umm Kulthum’s legacy (20 May), and a tribute to composer Toufic al-Basha with a performance by internationally acclaimed pianist Abdel Rahman al-Basha.
With exhibitions ranging from Lebanese cinema retrospectives to a cartoon showcase on Gaza, the fair promises to engage audiences across generations.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
