SLEMANI — Organizers of the first Kurdish Book Fair in Slemani announced Saturday that the event has been extended by three days after selling more than 30,000 books and hosting 10 panel discussions over the past 10 days.
The organizers said the fair will now run through August 25, citing strong public interest and enthusiasm among readers. They also announced plans to make the event an annual gathering and to expand participation next year to publishing houses and cultural centers from all four parts of Kurdistan.
Rawaz Hama Salih, supervisor of the first Kurdish Book Fair, said at a press conference that the event, held under the slogan “The Kurdish Book is the Home of Our Language and Identity,” had largely achieved its objectives, particularly by creating a platform for cultural dialogue and intellectual exchange.
The fair brought together more than 45 publishing houses and publishing centers from the Kurdistan Region and Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan), offering a broad selection of Kurdish-language books across various sections.
“Sales volume has exceeded 30,000 books so far,” Hama Salih said, adding that the organizers had initially expected higher sales but considered the figure an indication of significant public interest in Kurdish literature.
The fair also hosted 10 panel discussions attended by hundreds of people, covering various aspects of the Kurdish issue and broader cultural and intellectual topics.
Hama Salih said strong interest from readers prompted the organizers to extend the fair beyond its original 10-day schedule until August 25.
He said preparations were already underway to expand next year’s edition and invite publishing houses and cultural institutions from all four parts of Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Book Fair opened in Slemani on August 13. Organizers said its main objectives were to promote and preserve the Kurdish language, bring publishers from across Kurdistan together, strengthen cultural identity and encourage younger generations to engage with Kurdish literature.
The fair also offered discounts and affordable prices on books in an effort to make Kurdish literature more accessible to readers.
