Writers, intellectuals urged to document unfolding events

BAGHDAD: The 26th Baghdad International Book Fair opened on Wednesday with Qatar participating as guest of honor, alongside publishing houses from several Arab and foreign countries, including Kuwait. The opening ceremony was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, who underscored the vital role of culture in defending nations and confronting injustice, particularly the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza.- KUNA photos

BAGHDAD: The 26th Baghdad International Book Fair opened on Wednesday with Qatar participating as guest of honor, alongside publishing houses from across the Arab world and beyond, including Kuwait. The opening ceremony was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, who highlighted the vital role of culture in defending nations and confronting injustice, particularly the ongoing Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Al-Sudani urged writers and intellectuals to document unfolding events as a testimony for history, stressing that culture remains “the strongest voice and most effective weapon—one that cannot be silenced by force.” He noted that the world today is witnessing “wars of ideas and cultures” waged with soft tools that seek to influence societies, emphasizing the responsibility of intellectuals as a first line of defense in preserving national unity and social cohesion.

The prime minister also welcomed Qatar’s participation as guest of honor, represented by Qatari Minister of Culture Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, affirming Iraq’s solidarity with its Gulf neighbor and condemning Zionist aggression. The fair, held at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds, will run until September 21 and features a diverse program of cultural and artistic events, offering a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas among Arab and international publishers, writers and readers. — KUNA