The technical and engineering staff continue their works in preparation for the Karbala International Book Fair, which is scheduled for ten day from the 15/04/2018 corresponding to 28th of Rajab 1439 AH until the 25/04/2018 corresponding to the 8th of Sha'ban 1439 AH in the area between the two holy shrines on an area of 3000 square meters. The exhibition has exceeded 60% completion rate, and it will be divided into two main corridors divided into several sections to accommodate all the publishing houses, institutions and universities participating in this fair, which is the most important and prominent cultural activities of the International Cultural Festival of the Martyrdom's Spring.
Dr. Hasanein al-Mosawi, member of the International Book Fair Committee, said: "Preparations have started since the beginning of the current year 2018, as since the beginning of the first month, periodic meetings of the members of Book Fair Committee have started to prepare the establishment of this fair within the Festival of the Martyrdom's spring this year.
Adding: "The aim of this fair is to spread the spirit of culture in the society, and making the book return to be the best of friends, in the light of the electronic development and the communication means, which weaken the extent of people's demand for the book. So these fairs, which are held by the two holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and of al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them), contribute to make the book closer to the readers.
He also explained that the publishing houses that will participate in the Karbala Book Fair are about 150 foreign and Arab publishing houses as well as the local ones, in addition to the participation of international universities such as the University of Oxford, as well as government institutions such as the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and a number of departments and institutions involved in the event. Books of all specialities will be presented from religious, scientific, cultural and academic books, either Arab or foreign ones, as this exhibition is diverse and not limited to a particular specialization. There will also be a participation of the popular mobilization that will participate in the Karbala International Book Fair, through special pavilions to highlight their activities, represented by the al-Abbas's (p) Fighting Squad, the brigade of Ali al-Akbar (peace be upon him) and other formations of the popular mobilization.
It is worth mentioning that the Karbala International Book Fair is one of the most important events of the International Cultural Festival of the Martyrdom's Spring held and fully funded by the General Secretaries of the two holy shrines of Imam al-Hussayn and of Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (peace be upon both of them) since it was founded 14 years ago to celebrate the birth anniversaries of the Holy Prophet grandson Imam al-Hussayn and his brother Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas (Allah's prayers be upon them). And this year, it is distinguished by the increasing number of participating countries and expanding the pavilions of the publishing houses and providing all facilities that will contribute to the success of this fair, which reflects the cultural image of Iraq in general and of the holy city of Karbala in particular.