Istanbul Book Fair

The Istanbul Book Fair is considered the largest non-profit international fair for Arabic books held outside Arab countries with the aim of reviving the Arabic language in Turkey and strengthening the bond between Arabs and Turks

The Istanbul Book Fair is considered the largest non-profit international exhibition of Arabic books held outside the Arab countries, aimed at reviving the Arabic language in Turkey and strengthening the bond between Arabs and Turks.

Skyline Education provides you with more details about this exhibition in this article, where we will present an overview of the Istanbul Book Fair and highlight its most important events.

In addition to mentioning the participation requirements and its key features, we will conclude our article by answering the most frequently asked questions about this exhibition.

We wish you an enjoyable read and continued engagement.

Overview of the Istanbul Book Fair

Istanbul Arabic Book Fair is the largest Arab cultural event, first organized 8 years ago with an area of only 400 square meters as part of the Turkish Book Fair and with the participation of only 30 publishers, until its seventh edition in 2022 reached an area of more than 10,000 square meters with participants from over 28 countries.

The exhibition is held under the patronage of the Turkish Publishers' Union, the Turkish Publishers' Association, and the International Association of Arabic Book Publishers, with the support of the Anadolu Agency.

The exhibition attracts the Arab community residing in Turkey, as well as many Turkish citizens who are interested in the Arabic language and its sciences, and it is also attended by countries from outside the Arab world such as the Balkan states and Central Asia, in addition to Arab communities in Europe.

The organizing body sends invitations to all Arab and Turkish schools and universities that have a close connection to Arabic language studies.

Exhibition Events

The exhibition features more than 15,000 titles, in addition to offering a variety of cultural events such as lectures, intellectual seminars, book signing events, poetry evenings, and various artistic activities.

The lectures and seminars cover diverse topics in literature, culture, politics, and economics, with lecturers from various countries participating. Additionally, student unions representing Turkish universities take part in the exhibition through artistic workshops and by providing services for new students under the name University Club.

The exhibition also includes a special section for children named "Joy Club", a section for scientific activities for youth, and another for Arabic calligraphy, not to mention the various sections for activities, events, educational institutions, and media outlets.

The Istanbul Book Fair also features a dedicated area for the Arabic and Turkish languages for non-native speakers, an international schools section, and a section for associations and civil society organizations.

Participation Requirements for the Istanbul Book Fair

If you wish to participate in this exhibition, you should review the requirements set by the organizing committee for this year's event, which called on publishers and distributors of Arabic books in the Arab world and beyond to comply with them. Among the most important are:

The price per square meter for the first category of early booking is 100 dollars, for the second category it is 90 dollars per square meter, and for the third category it is 80 dollars.
The allowed limit per square meter is 3 packages, provided that each package weighs more than 40 kilograms. If the weight of the packages exceeds the allowed limit, the participant must pay 15 dollars for each package that exceeds the allowed weight or for each additional package.
Shipping is done exclusively by sea from Lebanon and Egypt, and when a shipment of more than 250 packages from other countries is completed, coordination is arranged between the regional union and the International Association to handle another shipment.
Sending metal, plastic, and wooden toys, CDs, and quantities of Qurans is not allowed, in accordance with Turkish customs regulations, under penalty of legal and penal consequences in case of violation.
The circulation and display of pirated books—those reproduced and printed without the permission of the rights holders—is strictly prohibited, as are all types of unauthorized editions, and the publisher bears all legal consequences in case of violation.
The publisher is not allowed to participate with publications from another publishing house unless they have obtained written authorization.
The exhibition management is responsible for designing the layout and assigning booths, and participants in the Istanbul Book Fair do not have the right to object to the location of their booth.

Key Advantages of the Istanbul Book Fair

The exhibition attracts thousands of visitors annually and sees increasing attendance each year compared to the previous one, for several reasons, the most important of which are:

The Istanbul Book Fair is one of the largest and most important cultural exhibitions in Turkey and the Middle East.
It is an opportunity for readers, writers, and publishers to discover the latest releases of books, magazines, and other publications.
The fair is distinguished by the diversity of its events, organizing numerous literary workshops, seminars, lectures, and discussions on various topics.
Prominent local and international writers participate in these events, allowing visitors to interact directly with them and discuss their ideas and opinions on literature and culture.
The exhibition showcases many new and classic books in various fields, including literature, history, sciences, arts, and religion, and visitors can purchase their favorite books and have them signed by the authors themselves.
Many local and international publishing houses participate, offering a wide range of books at discounted prices.
There is also a dedicated publishing booth where publishers can display their products and secure business deals.
The fair is an excellent opportunity for students, researchers, and book enthusiasts to discover new books and broaden their intellectual horizons.
Special events for children are also organized, such as story reading sessions, drawing workshops, and other interactive activities, aimed at encouraging a love of reading from an early age.
The exhibition is organized professionally and attracts a large number of international visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Istanbul Book Fair

Here are the answers to the most important questions that many people have regarding the exhibition’s schedule, the books on display, its location, and other details:

What is the location of the Istanbul Book Fair?

The Istanbul Book Fair is held at the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center.

Who participates in the Istanbul Book Fair?

Many local and international publishing houses participate in the exhibition, offering a wide range of books at discounted prices.

What types of books are available at the exhibition?

You will find various types of publications across different academic, scientific, and literary fields, as well as novels, religious and historical books, among other diverse sections.

You can also find calendars, colorful children's books, all kinds of dictionaries, encyclopedias, globes, greeting cards, both new and old magazines, as well as maps, stationery, school books, travel books, and much more.

Is the exhibition suitable for children?

Yes, special events for children are organized at the exhibition, including story reading sessions, drawing workshops, and other interactive activities.