Zak Amin
The Erbil International Book Fair is more than a place to buy and sell books. It is an opportunity to promote reading, support education, and make knowledge accessible to everyone. This year, Yadgar Muhammad, owner of Yadgar Bookstore, has offered a simple but meaningful example by selling every book for just 1,000 Iraqi dinars.
After more than three decades in the book business, Muhammad believes it is time to give something back to readers.
“We made money from readers. Now it is time for readers to save and afford buying. We need to serve them now,” he says.
Many of the books he is offering have remained in storage for 15 or 20 years. By selling them at affordable prices, he hopes to bring them into Kurdish homes and encourage families to build their own libraries.
His initiative deserves recognition because reading should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford expensive books. Students need access to literature beyond their school materials, children need stories that develop their imagination, and adults need opportunities to explore new ideas.
For some families, the cost of books can be a barrier. Affordable initiatives allow readers to purchase several books instead of just one, making reading more accessible and encouraging a lasting habit.
However, promoting a reading culture requires more than annual book fairs. Publishers, bookstores, schools, libraries, and cultural institutions all have a role to play. Affordable editions, school book exchanges, and stronger public library programs could help more people access books throughout the year.
The Kurdistan Region has a rich literary heritage. Preserving it means ensuring that future generations can access books in their own language and learn about their history and culture.
Yadgar Muhammad’s initiative may be modest, but its message is powerful. If we want more readers, we must make books more affordable.
Sometimes, strengthening a reading culture begins with one person’s simple decision. At the Erbil International Book Fair, Muhammad has shown what that decision can look like.