The seventh Sulaymaniyah International Book Fair will commence October 3, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of President Mam Jalal’s passing. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Culture and Youth has officially named this edition the “President Mam Jalal Session” in tribute to the late Kurdish leader.
Official Preparations and Commemorative Naming
The Higher Board of Sulaymaniyah International Exhibition has scheduled the seventh international book fair to begin on October 3, 2025, strategically timing the event to coincide with the anniversary of President Mam Jalal’s passing. This deliberate scheduling transforms the literary gathering into a meaningful commemoration of the beloved Kurdish leader’s legacy.
On July 24, 2025, Hamai Hama Said, Minister of Culture and Youth for the Kurdistan Regional Government, convened with Atlas Publishing and Distribution House alongside numerous printing establishments and exhibition supervisors in Sulaymaniyah. During this crucial meeting, participants finalized the preparatory roadmap and unanimously decided to dedicate the seventh international book fair session to President Mam Jalal’s memory.
The ministerial meeting resulted in the establishment of a cooperation and coordination board specifically tasked with overseeing the exhibition’s management. This organizational structure demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring the event’s success while maintaining its commemorative significance. The board will coordinate between various publishing houses, cultural institutions, and international participants to create a comprehensive literary celebration.
The decision to name the fair after President Mam Jalal reflects the deep respect and admiration the Kurdish people hold for their former leader, who was known for his intellectual pursuits and support for education and cultural development. This naming convention establishes a lasting tribute that connects literature, culture, and political legacy.
Impressive Track Record and Growing Success
The Sulaymaniyah International Book Fair has established itself as a significant cultural event in the region, having successfully conducted six previous editions. Each successive fair has demonstrated remarkable growth in participation, diversity of publications, and public engagement, solidifying its reputation as a premier literary gathering in the Middle East.
The most recent sixth international book fair achieved unprecedented success, featuring participation from 200 domestic and international centers. This extensive participation brought together publishers, authors, and cultural institutions from across the globe, creating a vibrant marketplace of ideas and literature. The fair showcased an impressive collection of 40,000 titles and displayed 9 million books, demonstrating the scale and diversity of literary offerings.
The commercial success of the previous edition was equally remarkable, with approximately 4 million books sold during the event period. This substantial sales figure indicates strong public interest in literature and the fair’s effectiveness as a cultural and commercial platform. The economic impact extends beyond book sales, benefiting local businesses, hotels, and the broader Sulaymaniyah economy.
Public engagement reached exceptional levels, with nearly half a million visitors attending the sixth fair. This massive attendance reflects the event’s growing popularity and its role as a cultural destination for residents and tourists alike. The high visitor numbers demonstrate the Kurdish population’s strong appreciation for literature and cultural events.
The upcoming seventh edition builds upon this foundation of success while adding the meaningful dimension of commemorating President Mam Jalal. The combination of literary celebration and political tribute is expected to attract even greater participation from both domestic and international contributors, potentially setting new records for attendance and book sales while honoring a revered leader’s memory.
