The 27th Baghdad International Book Fair commenced today, Wednesday, with wide participation from over 600 local, Arab, and foreign publishers, amidst significant official and public attendance.
The opening witnessed a large turnout of Iraqi writers, intellectuals, and readers from other nationalities, as reported by the Video News Agency, which captured the event's launch and documented the impressions of those organizing the fair and the participants involved.
The media director of the Baghdad International Book Fair, Noor Al-Karam, stated in an interview with the Video News Agency that the opening ceremony was successful, sponsored by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi and attended by several officials and representatives. She expressed her surprise at the large turnout from the public from the early hours of the opening.
Al-Karam explained that the fair continues for the third consecutive year to present the "Read" initiative aimed at young people and students, which consists of a free coupon worth 25,000 dinars distributed inside the fair in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other ministries to encourage young people to read and help them in their scientific research.
For her part, citizen Jumana, in her talk with Video News, confirmed that the prices of the displayed books are reasonable and accessible to everyone, pointing out that the value of a book is not measured by its price but by its intellectual and cultural content, which contributes to raising a person's awareness.
Jumana noted that the publishing houses offered pleasant discounts on most titles and books, which provided great motivation and encouragement for visitors to acquire as many writings and books that meet their interests.