The 34th Doha International Book Fair opened on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). The fair will run until May 17. This year’s theme is “From Engraving to Writing”.
The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 522 publishers from 43 countries are participating in the fair. This year, Palestine is the guest of honor. For the first time, 11 publishers from Palestine are participating. Their exhibits include books and cultural items that show the history of the Palestinian people.
Books in Arabic are the main attraction of the fair, and many publishers from various Arab countries are participating. There are also English books from renowned publishers such as Oxford University Press and Harvard University Press. Visitors can use large touch screens to easily locate books. Some books are displayed via holograms. A robot guides visitors around the fair. Volunteers and staff are available to help.
There is a special section for children with story readings, games, and educational books. Additional services include a reading guide, helpdesk, porter service, and free parking. The fair is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Fridays, it opens at 3 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m.
