After a one-year hiatus, the Beirut Arab Book Fair made a notable comeback for its 66th edition, held from May 15 to 25. The seaside arena in Beirut welcomed book lovers and cultural enthusiasts for ten days of literary engagement. Organized by the Arab Cultural Club, this year’s event aimed to reinvigorate the city’s cultural scene amid ongoing challenges.

Absence of Publishers Syndicate

The Lebanese Publishers Syndicate did not officially participate, opting instead to focus on its own fair planned for the fall—continuing a division first seen in 2023. Despite efforts by Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh to mend the rift, the disagreement persisted. Nevertheless, the fair moved forward with a full program of activities, open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Strong Participation and Newcomers

The event featured 134 Lebanese and eight Arab publishing houses, showcasing a strong local presence. While several major French and English publishers were missing, a variety of foreign-language titles remained available. For the first time, the Arab World Institute (AWI) from Paris joined the fair with a dedicated stand highlighting works related to the Arab world.

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A Diverse Cultural Program

This year’s edition offered 66 cultural events, including conferences, roundtables, exhibitions, and performances. Topics spanned theater, cinema, geopolitics, economics, and contemporary Arab identity. Special tributes were held for novelist Elias Khoury, iconic singer Umm Kulthum, and composer Toufic Al-Basha, alongside panels honoring journalist Michel Abou Jaoudeh and other influential figures.