Amman: The 24th edition of the Amman International Book Fair is set to open Thursday under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Organized by the Union of Jordanian Publishers, the event will be held at the Jordan International Exhibition Center.
According to Jordan News Agency, this year's fair will operate under the slogan "Jerusalem, the Capital of Palestine," highlighting its significance in Arab identity and Jordan's dedication, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, to protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites through the Hashemite Custodianship.
Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh noted that Oman is the Guest of Honor, bringing its rich history and cultural heritage to the event. He emphasized the strategic collaboration with the Union of Jordanian Publishers and other institutions, asserting that the fair stands as a major cultural event in Jordan, featuring 400 publishers from 22 Arab and foreign countries.
Rawashdeh explained that the ten-day cultural program will facilitate discussions on intellectual, cultural, political, and publishing matters, including the economics of culture and knowledge.
Union President and Fair Director Jaber Abu Fares described the exhibition as a vital cultural occasion for Jordan and the Arab world. He mentioned the organizers' efforts in drawing new publishers and providing visitors with access to the latest publications.
The fair's program includes lectures, workshops, interactive sessions for children in partnership with the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, and engagements with notable Arab and Jordanian authors, including Booker Prize nominees like Mohamed Sameer Nada and Ahmed Morsi from Egypt, Amira Ghenim from Tunisia, Mohamed Al-Yahyai from Oman, and Jordanian novelist Jalal Barjas.
Running until October 4, the fair is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Greater Amman Municipality. Oman's participation is showcased through a special pavilion with intellectual and literary works, electronic and audio books, and Omani manuscripts and cultural artifacts listed on UNESCO's Intangible Heritage register. Exhibitors comprise the Ministry of Information, Sultan Qaboos University, and other prominent institutions.
The cultural committee has named Sultan Al-Maani, a distinguished Jordanian scholar of Semitic languages and ancient Arab history, as Cultural Personality of the Year.
The event also features poetry evenings, storytelling sessions, and a creative writing workshop led by Jalal Barjas, with participation from nearly 170 individuals from Jordan and the Arab world, such as Nouri Al-Jarrah and Subhi Hadidi from Syria, Amira Ghenim from Tunisia, and others from various countries.
Oman's cultural contribution includes works from academics and writers like Sheikh Hamad Al-Maamari and Ashraf Al-Asmi, among others.
Jordanian institutions participating in the fair include the Ministry of Culture, Greater Amman Municipality, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the Jordanian Writers Association, and the House of Poetry-Mafraq.