Qatar to Take Part in Fourth Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair in Berlin

Overview and Participation

The State of Qatar, represented by its Ministry of Culture, will participate in the fourth edition of the Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair in Berlin. The fair is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 and will host more than 110 publishers from across the Arab world and Germany.

Program Highlights

The fair’s programme includes a diverse range of Arabic publications and a multifaceted cultural programme designed to foster encounters and dialogue among authors, translators, publishers, researchers and readers from the Arab world and Germany.

It features discussions, seminars and literary gatherings covering topics such as Arabic‑German translation and its future prospects, the role of book fairs in cultural exchange, the Arabic novel in the Gulf region, and how cultural institutions serve as bridges for dialogue and mutual understanding between societies.

Additional sessions explore digital literature and contemporary publishing, while others highlight Qatari cultural and maritime heritage as well as Arabic poetry.

Special Sessions and Awards

A key highlight is a discussion with Saudi novelist Abdo Khal, winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (the Arabic Booker), who will reflect on his literary career and the position of the Saudi novel within the broader Arab cultural landscape.

The fair will also conclude the “Treasures of Knowledge: A Dialogue with Arabic Manuscripts” series, organised in collaboration with the Berlin State Library, with a special event dedicated to the world of Arabic manuscripts and the creativity, knowledge and stories they contain.

Another notable element is the presentation ceremony for the Al Riwaq Prize for Science and Culture, organised by Al Diwan (the Arab Cultural House) in partnership with the Orient‑Institut Beirut (OIB), which celebrates outstanding scholarly and cultural contributions and reflects Al Diwan’s commitment to supporting knowledge, research and culture.