In a moment symbolizing the revival of Syria’s cultural scene and the triumph of knowledge after years of disconnection, the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair continued its activities at the Damascus Conferences Palace. The event restores Damascus to its historic position as a capital of books and thought, and as a platform for dialogue and intellectual exchange.
A Cornerstone of Syria’s Intellectual Revival
The book fair serves as a comprehensive cultural platform, bringing together publishing houses, authors, and intellectuals from Syria and across the Arab world. It seeks to revive cultural and intellectual life, promote reading, disseminate knowledge, and open spaces for dialogue between visitors and exhibitors.
This edition reflects the return of cultural life to Damascus after years of hardship, reaffirming Syria’s role as a producer of culture and knowledge. It marks the resumption of cultural activity as a central pillar of recovery and rebuilding following the Syrian revolution.
Exceptional Scale of Arab Participation
Acting as a bridge for ideas, the Damascus International Book Fair contributes to shaping collective public awareness. This years exhibition stands out for the scale and diversity of participation, clearly signaling a renewed cultural momentum.
Speaking to Levant24, Adulbittar, a 62-year-old engineer visiting the fair, said what distinguishes this year from those held during the Assad regime’s era is the freedom of the exhibited books. “In previous fairs, I searched for books documenting the coup that brought Hafez al-Assad to power or detailing Israel’s occupation of the Golan, but I could not find them,” he said. “At this fair, I found books that shed light on military secrets from the 1960s.”
Dr. Ahmad al-Yusuf, director of the Safwa Center for Civilizational Studies in Istanbul, told Levant24 that this is the center’s first participation in a Syrian book fair. Explaining his motivation, he said, “Damascus is the capital of culture, and this fair is a vital part of Syria’s ongoing development and revitalization efforts, which we want to be part of.”
Yusuf noted the fair’s diversity and the wide participation of Arab and Islamic publishing houses without restrictions on titles. He added that the strong public turnout reflects Syrians’ enduring passion for reading and printed books, even amid the global digital revolution.
