Fadel Al-Badrani, Undersecretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, said Tuesday that the 27th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair will feature its largest participation in years, with 28 countries taking part—17 Arab and 11 foreign.

Publishing houses from the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Iran will participate in the fair, which is scheduled to open Wednesday.

Al-Badrani said preparations for the event have been completed and that all arrangements are in place for the launch of its activities. The fair will run from September 2 to 12 and will feature a broad program of cultural events, including a major seminar on the Ministry of Culture’s activities, to be addressed by the Minister of Culture. Seminars organized by the Ministries of Trade and Environment will also be held.

He noted that participating publishing houses will showcase a diverse selection of publications, with a particular focus on short stories, novels, and books addressing political, social, and intellectual issues.

The Ministry of Culture will also have a dedicated pavilion featuring publications from its various departments. The pavilion will showcase works from Al-Ma'mun House for Translation and Publishing, the Children's Culture House, the Department of Studies at the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, the Heritage Institute affiliated with the General Directorate of Arts, the Kurdish Culture and Publishing House, and other ministry departments.

Al-Badrani concluded that the Ministry had focused its participation on its own publications and areas of expertise, with the aim of enriching the fair's cultural, intellectual, and artistic offerings.

Abbas Al-Taee