DOHA: The Arab Book Award concluded its participation in the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which closed Tuesday.
The Award’s presence was marked by a dynamic program of cultural events and meetings, while its pavilion welcomed a wide array of Syrian and Arab intellectuals and cultural figures.
The Award maintained a strong and visible presence throughout the fair. Its pavilion received several senior officials, most notably Eng. Ali Kaddah, Assistant Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Syrian Republic for Cabinet Affairs, and Mohammed Yassin Saleh, Syria’s Minister of Culture, in addition to numerous writers and members of the cultural community.
On the sidelines of the fair, the Award’s delegation visited a number of cultural and media institutions in Damascus. A key visit was to the Arab Writers Union, where Dr. Sidina Sidati, Scientific Advisor of the Arab Book Award in Doha, met with Dr. Ahmad Jassem Al-Hussein, President of the Union.
The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for mutual cooperation.
During these engagements, the Scientific Advisor presented an overview of the Award and its history, highlighting the importance of Syrian authors applying for this annual prize dedicated to books written in Arabic.
The Award aims to recognize researchers, publishing houses, and institutions that contribute to the development of the Arab book industry. Submissions remain open until May 28.
The delegation also visited the Faculty of Sharia at Damascus University, where it met with the Dean, Dr. Imad Al-Din Al-Rasheed, and faculty members.
Discussions introduced the Award’s mission and explored potential avenues for collaboration to support academic research and strengthen cultural and intellectual engagement.
In addition, the delegation visited the Syrian National Library, headed by Dr. Saeed Hijazi, where it outlined the Award’s vision and objectives. Both sides discussed prospects for future cooperation between the Library and the Award.
