President Masoud Barzani inaugurated Erbil’s international book fair, celebrating Kurdish culture, literature, and intellectual heritage.
President Masoud Barzani officially opened the 18th Erbil International Book Fair on Wednesday, October 21, bringing together hundreds of publishers, writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures from across the world in one of the Kurdistan Region’s largest annual cultural events.
Held under the slogan “I Am a Kurdistani,” the ten-day exhibition is organized by the Mêda Foundation for Media and Culture, with more than 400 publishing houses from 18 countries participating and nearly one million book titles available to visitors.
President Barzani attended the opening ceremony alongside senior political figures, academics, journalists, and representatives of cultural institutions. He later toured several sections of the exhibition, visiting publishing houses and meeting representatives of organizations dedicated to preserving Kurdish history, literature, and cultural identity.
One of the highlights of his visit was a stop at the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Encyclopedia Board, where he was presented with five newly published books focusing on Kurdish history, religion, literature, and the Kurdish people’s political struggle.
Dr. Sirwan Jabbar, head of the KDP Encyclopedia Board, stated that President Barzani visited their section at the beginning of his tour and received the books as a gesture of respect and appreciation.
Among the publications was The Kurds: A Silent Revolution, written by Professor Jean Pradier, a longtime observer of Kurdish history and the Kurdish national movement.
According to Dr. Jabbar, Professor Pradier developed a close understanding of the Kurdish cause during the 1960s, when he spent time alongside Peshmerga fighters and personally witnessed several historical events that he later documented in his writings.
The professor has also maintained a longstanding relationship with President Barzani. Last year, he spent a month at Soran University, delivering seminars and academic lectures on historical research methods to university lecturers and historians.
Speaking to Kurdish media, Dr. Sirwan Zand, a member of the Encyclopedia Board, highlighted the historical significance of the publication.
“One of the books was written by Professor Jean Pradier about the history of the Kurds and Kurdistan. He has followed the Kurdish issue since the 1960s and has maintained a close relationship with President Barzani.”
Other books presented to President Barzani included The Bloody Kurdish Spring by Kamaran Qaradaghi, which examines important political developments from the 1970s and 1980s through the 1991 Kurdish Uprising, drawing on historical documents and diplomatic experiences.
The collection also included Masnavi Ma’navi by the renowned poet and Sufi thinker Jalaluddin Rumi, Yadi Mardan by Mullah Abdulkarim Mudarris, and The Sparkle of Ruby by Kurdish religious scholar Mullah Abdullah al-Katib.
Together, the publications reflect different aspects of Kurdish intellectual and cultural heritage, from political history and national struggle to religious scholarship, spiritual traditions, and literature.
Beyond President Barzani’s visit, the exhibition has attracted considerable interest from publishers and readers despite the economic challenges facing the publishing industry.
Several publishing houses have introduced new works, including books translated into Kurdish for the first time, reflecting continued efforts to expand Kurdish-language literature and make international publications accessible to local readers.
Mirko Abubakir, a bookseller at Roman Center, said that his publishing house had brought a substantial collection of new publications to the event.
“We have brought more than 100 titles, including 32 new books. Some of them have been translated into Kurdish for the first time.”
However, publishers have also faced rising production costs linked to regional conflicts and economic disruptions, particularly the war involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Hassan Ali, director of Awer Center, said that printing expenses had increased, but his publishing house remained committed to keeping books affordable.
“We have not increased our prices because books are not mainly about making money. They are more about passion and love.”
The exhibition has also provided an economic boost to Erbil, attracting visitors and delegations from abroad and generating additional business for hotels, restaurants, cafés, transportation services, and local markets.
Nian Ahmed, Deputy Director General of Media, Printing and Publishing, stated that the event has become an important contributor to the city’s commercial activity, extending its benefits beyond the publishing industry.
She also emphasized the opportunities the exhibition offers women entrepreneurs, particularly those displaying traditional Kurdish handicrafts and locally produced goods.
“This exhibition has become a golden opportunity for many young women and female entrepreneurs to display their handmade products and locally produced goods that reflect Kurdish culture and traditions, while also earning a good income.”
Ahmed said the growing participation of women in such activities reflects the positive social changes experienced by Kurdish society over recent decades.
With books available in Kurdish, Arabic, English, Persian, Turkish, French, and German, the exhibition serves readers from different backgrounds and offers a platform for cultural exchange.
President Barzani’s presence at the opening, together with his visit to institutions documenting Kurdish history, placed particular attention on the importance of preserving the Kurdish people’s historical record and passing their cultural and intellectual heritage to future generations.
The 18th Erbil International Book Fair will remain open until October 31, welcoming visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Kurdish Globe