Qatar strongly represented as Amman Book Fair celebrates 25th anniversary

Amman International Book Fair is marking its 25th anniversary from September 24 to October 3, with the State of Qatar playing a significant role. Qatar's Ministry of Culture and several Qatari publishers will exhibit their works alongside numerous Arab and international publishing houses. The fair's President, Jabr Abu Fares, emphasized Qatar's participation as part of its ongoing engagement in major Arab cultural events, aiming to enhance cultural ties between Qatar and Jordan and offer Jordanian readers broader access to Qatari literary and cultural works.

The fair will host a broad cultural program encompassing literary and poetry evenings, seminars, and discussions on contemporary cultural themes, including the influence of artificial intelligence on writing and publishing. Promoting reading and fostering writing and book ownership are central objectives of the fair. Abu Fares stressed the importance of involving children, young people, families, schools, and cultural institutions to cultivate a lasting reading culture.

Organizers anticipate a robust public turnout, inspired by the success of past editions, with schools, universities, and students invited to participate. Selecting an appropriate venue for such a large event in Amman proved challenging due to the scarcity of suitable venues. Abu Fares stressed the importance of providing a suitable environment for publishers and readers to ensure the fair's continuity and growth year after year.

The publishing industry faces challenges such as marketing and the decline of traditional printed book markets, issues not unique to Jordan but prevalent across various Arab countries. The transition to digital books has gained momentum due to the escalating costs of printed books and the widespread use of digital media by students and readers.

Abu Fares called for establishing dependable digital platforms to safeguard authors' and publishers' copyrights from digital piracy. The rising expenses of paper, printing, shipping, and imports have directly affected book prices, with global transport and trade developments also influencing production costs. Abu Fares urged publishers to offer affordable prices to make original works accessible to readers, particularly considering the economic hardships faced by families and students.

He cautioned against overreliance on artificial intelligence in intellectual, political, and historical works, stressing the need for verification and review.