Damascus, July 20 (SANA)Abook fairfeaturing around 800 titles has opened at theArab Cultural Centerin Abu Rummaneh, Damascus, asSyrian cultural authoritiesand a local publisher seek to encourage reading and support the country’s publishing sector.

The event, organized in cooperation with Safir Publishing House, brings together a broad selection of books spanning literature, history, culture, language, philosophy and children’s education.

Ziad Kassara, owner of Safir Publishing House, said the company began organizing book fairs in Syria in 1997, launching its first event at theAbu Rummaneh Cultural Centerbefore expanding it into an annual fixture on the country’s cultural calendar.

Speaking to SANA, Kassara said the publisher has broadened the fair’s offerings since resuming operations in Syria by securing publishing rights from regional publishing houses and authors whose works were previously unavailable in the Syrian market.

The exhibition includes books on history, culture,literature and languages, alongside educational titles for children and young readers. It also places particular emphasis on science, nature and environmental books for children, as well as stories aimed at promoting personal development and social values.

Kassara said Safir Publishing House is also reprinting some of Syria’s most popular titles, particularly children’s books, arguing that printed books continue to play an important role in developing intellectual, linguistic and cognitive skills despite the growing popularity of digital publishing.

Visitors said the fair offers readers access to a wide range of subjects and provides an opportunity to engage directly with publishers and explore new releases.

The exhibition is part of a series of cultural activities aimed at encouraging reading, supporting the publishing industry and reinforcing the role of books inSyria’s cultural life.