People visit the Lebanon International Book Fair in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
by Dana Halawi
BEIRUT, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's economic crisis and escalating border clashes with Israel did not stop hundreds of people from flocking to the ongoing international book fair in Beirut.
"This exhibition is timely, as culture and education are the best weapons to fight an occupier, in my opinion," said Obaida Tayesh, a university management student exploring books at one of the booths at the 8th Lebanon International Book Fair.
Tayesh told Xinhua that in times of complex economic crisis, the "best investment is in one's self."
"The return from reading is great on so many levels," he added.
People visit the Lebanon International Book Fair in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
For Sahar Farran, a teacher in her 30s, the exhibition is an escape for people from the disturbing events happening in Gaza and on the Lebanese-Israeli border.
"Reading creates a different atmosphere; it is a different world with new ideas and the voices of people from different times," Farran said.
The exhibition, which runs from Oct. 13 to 23, witnesses the participation of over 120 publishers from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, Palestine, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
During the exhibition opening, Lebanese Culture Minister Mohammad Wissam Mortada emphasized Beirut's role as a cultural hub in the region, saying that through book fairs, Beirut established its cultural identity and turned into a haven for thinkers, writers, and publishers in the Arab world.
A stall of culinary books is seen at the Lebanon International Book Fair in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)
Ahmad Torfi, a representative of the Iran Book and Literature House, told Xinhua the exhibition is timely as it unites several Arab countries culturally, adding that cultural solidarity is as important as political and military unity.
Torfi added that his publication house, in this exhibition, focuses on Palestinian literature and the resistance of Palestinian people, hoping to bring more attention to the Palestinian issue.
Karim Halabi, owner of Halabi Bookshop, said he is not surprised to see good demand for books at the exhibition.
"Lebanon will never change; people are keen to live joyfully and not give up on their favorite hobbies even during difficult circumstances," Halabi told Xinhua.
"Lebanon is a source of inspiration for the whole world," he added. ■
