40th Tunis International Book Fair Kicks Off with Indonesia as Guest of Honour The 40th edition of the Tunis International Book Fair opened on April 23, 2026, at the Kram Exhibition Centre under the auspices of President Kais Saied. The fair runs through May 3 under the slogan “Tunisia, a homeland of books,” marking a significant milestone in the country’s cultural calendar. This year’s edition features Indonesia as the Guest of Honour, a choice highlighted by organizers as a bold and meaningful step in cultural diplomacy. Indonesia’s ambassador to Tunisia, Zuhairi Misrawi, framed the country’s participation under the theme “Books and reading are a path to paradise,” emphasizing shared heritage and bilateral ties through literary and artistic exchanges. The fair brings together 37 countries and 394 exhibitors, including 213 publishers from across the Arab world and beyond. Over 148,000 titles are on display, reflecting the breadth of contemporary intellectual production. The event also welcomes new publishing houses and sees the return of others previously absent from past editions. A major focus of this year’s program is the intersection of tradition and innovation. A dedicated international forum on artificial intelligence across the publishing chain addresses urgent challenges and opportunities in the digital transformation of the book industry. This forum underscores the fair’s commitment to engaging with contemporary global debates even as remaining rooted in intellectual heritage. Intellectual programming also includes a tribute to the 900th anniversary of Ibn Rushd (Averroes), the Cordovan philosopher whose work bridged Islamic thought and European scholasticism. Organizers note that this centenary adds depth to the fair’s mission of promoting open inquiry and critical thought. Children’s programming has been significantly expanded, with 216 activities spread across seven dedicated spaces and delivered by 75 institutions. These initiatives aim to foster early engagement with reading and adapt to evolving habits among younger audiences. The fair features ten conferences, fifteen panel discussions, and eight awards, alongside artistic performances staged throughout the venue. Indonesia’s official pavilion showcases a cultural program including book displays in Indonesian and Arabic, folk performances, and symposia on Tunisian-Indonesian connections, including Tunisian-authored works about Indonesia. As one of the region’s most significant annual cultural events, the Tunis International Book Fair continues to reinforce Tunisia’s position as a leading destination for literature, thought, and publishing in North Africa and the Arab world.
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