Beirut Concludes the 66th Edition of the Arab International Book Fair

Nariman Alloush

Today, May 25th, marks the conclusion of the 66th edition of the Beirut Arab International Book Fair, an event that ran from May 15th and quickly became a much-needed cultural breath of fresh air for a city and a people longing for light amidst ongoing challenges.

Over the course of ten vibrant days, the fair succeeded in reigniting Beirut’s cultural pulse, reaffirming its status as a regional capital of knowledge, literature, and intellectual dialogue.

This year’s edition held particular symbolic weight. Coming at a time when Lebanon is still grappling with economic hardship and political uncertainty, and despite coinciding with the municipal elections and the season of school examinations, the fair managed to draw impressive crowds. Its success was a powerful reminder that the Lebanese people continue to value literature, conversation, and creativity even in the most difficult times.

The fairgrounds were bustling with energy, with publishing houses from Lebanon and across the Arab world displaying their newest releases. The diversity of titles—spanning fiction, poetry, history, philosophy, politics, and children’s literature—reflected the richness of the Arab literary scene and its ongoing evolution. More than just a commercial space, the fair served as a living platform for cultural exchange, critical thinking, and community engagement.

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One of the defining features of this year’s fair was the large number of book signings, with authors from Lebanon and beyond coming to meet their readers in person. These moments of connection—between writers and their audiences—added a human and emotional depth to the event. For many, it was not just about the books themselves, but about what they represent: shared stories, struggles, dreams, and the hope of renewal.

A wide array of panels, discussions, and cultural events accompanied the exhibition, bringing together thinkers, artists, academics, and journalists to discuss topics ranging from literature and identity, to politics, social issues, and the future of publishing in the digital age. These sessions reflected the intellectual dynamism that Beirut continues to nurture, despite everything.

For many visitors, the fair felt like a return to something essential. In a time when daily life is marked by uncertainty, the simple act of attending a book fair became an act of affirmation: of culture, of life, of Beirut itself. As one visitor remarked, “It felt like we could breathe again. The book fair was oxygen for our spirits.”

As the 66th edition comes to an end, its impact will continue to resonate in the months to come. It was more than an event—it was a statement. A declaration that Beirut, despite all odds, still chooses life. Still chooses books. Still chooses dialogue.

Until the next edition, we bid farewell to this chapter in Beirut’s cultural journey, grateful for the writers, publishers, readers, and organizers who reminded us that in every book, there is a new beginning.

Beirut remains, now and always, a city of books, a city of light, and a city of life.

25-05-2025

Nariman Alloush: TV and Radio Presenter, Writer, Publisher, journalist and CEO at Bright lens media, and Mahabahu Correspondent, Lebanon

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