The Erbil Kurdish Book Fair opened on Thursday as the first major exhibition in the Kurdistan Region dedicated fully to Kurdish-language books.
The seven-day event is being held at the Erbil International Fairground. It brings together publishers, writers, intellectuals, and readers from across Kurdistan.
Organizers say the fair marks a major step for Kurdish publishing. The event is held under the slogan “Write in Kurdish, Think in Kurdish.”
The exhibition features thousands of Kurdish books across many fields. These include literature, history, politics, religion, social studies, science, economics, and academic research.
The fair also includes works in different Kurdish dialects. This gives readers access to a wider view of Kurdish writing and thought.
A First for Kurdish Publications
The Erbil Kurdish Book Fair is being described as the first exhibition of its scale focused only on Kurdish publications.
More than 100 publishing houses and centers are taking part, according to organizers. Other reports placed the number of participating publishing and distribution centers at around 30, with books coming from across the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Kurdistan.
The event includes Kurdish publishers and writers connected to communities in Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran.
Organizers said the goal is to place Kurdish books at the center of the cultural space. Previous book exhibitions in Erbil have included works in Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, and English. This fair is different because it focuses only on Kurdish-language titles.
That focus gives the event a clear cultural role. It supports reading, writing, and publishing in the mother tongue.
Thousands of Titles on Display at the Erbil Kurdish Book Fair
The Erbil Kurdish Book Fair includes more than 10,000 titles, according to reports from the event.
Some reports said nearly one million Kurdish books are available throughout the exhibition. The books cover both general and specialized topics.
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For readers, the fair provides a rare chance to find new Kurdish works in one place. For authors and publishers, it offers a platform to reach a wider public.
The event also gives attention to the Kurdish publishing sector. It highlights the work of local publishers, cultural centers, researchers, and authors who are helping expand Kurdish-language content.
Panels, Seminars, and Cultural Programs
The fair will run for seven consecutive days, from June 4 to June 10.
During the exhibition, organizers plan to hold panels, seminars, cultural programs, and awareness events. These activities are expected to bring writers, readers, and academics into direct discussion.
Such programs help turn the fair into more than a book market. They make it a space for debate, education, and cultural exchange.
The event is also expected to draw students, families, researchers, and visitors interested in Kurdish literature and history.
Strengthening Erbil’s Cultural Role
Erbil has long played an important role in Kurdish cultural life. The city has hosted international and regional book fairs that attract readers and tourists from inside and outside the Kurdistan Region.
This year, the focus has shifted toward Kurdish-language publishing. Organizers said the fair was launched after regional conditions prevented the annual Erbil International Book Fair from being held.
Instead of leaving that space empty, the organizers created an event centered on Kurdish books.
The result is a fair that highlights Kurdish language, identity, and intellectual life.
A Cultural Step for 2026
Organizers have described the Erbil Kurdish Book Fair as one of the largest cultural events of 2026 in Erbil.
Its importance goes beyond book sales. The fair supports the wider movement to write, publish, and think in Kurdish.
It also gives young readers a stronger connection to Kurdish books. For writers, it offers recognition. For publishers, it creates direct contact with the public.
As the fair continues through June 10, it is expected to become a key moment for Kurdish culture this year.
The Erbil Kurdish Book Fair shows that Kurdish publishing can stand on its own. It also shows that the Kurdish language remains central to the region’s cultural and intellectual future.
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