49th Kuwait International Book Fair Kicks Off on November 18

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters announced on Monday the launch of the 49th edition of the Kuwait International Book Fair, scheduled to take place from November 18 to 28 at the International Exhibition Grounds in the Mishref area, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait.

In a press statement, the Council clarified that the upcoming edition will be held under the theme “We Read… We Ascend,” featuring participation from 592 entities representing 34 Arab and foreign countries. The fair will open at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

It was noted that the State of Qatar will be the guest of honor for this edition, reflecting the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Qatar and Kuwait and enhancing cultural cooperation between the two countries. The guest-of-honor country will present a pavilion showcasing its intellectual and literary output, alongside a number of cultural activities that highlight the diversity of its cultural landscape.

The fair will feature 248,094 titles, including 22,772 new titles for 2026. Kuwaiti publications account for 13,530 titles, of which 1,546 are new. Children’s books total 42,205 titles, including 3,042 new ones, offering diverse options for various ages and interests.

This edition will include participants from 19 Arab countries and 15 foreign countries, with the addition of 32 new exhibitors. The fair will also honor Dr. Khalifa Al-Waqian as the personality of this edition, in recognition of his cultural career. Halls 5, 6, and 7 have been named after poet Abdullah Al-Faraj, poet Moudi Al-Obeidi, and historian Ahmad Al-Busr Al-Rumai, to commemorate their legacies and appreciate their contributions to Kuwaiti culture.

Spanning 20,000 square meters, Hall 5 will host Arab publishing houses, Hall 6 will feature Kuwaiti, Gulf, and foreign publishers, and Hall 7 will accommodate government entities, regional organizations, and public benefit associations. The fair’s lobby will house children’s book publishers.

The event will be accompanied by more than 60 cultural activities, including intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, workshops, and cultural meetings at the Cultural Café, as well as activities targeted at children and youth, and diverse programs for all segments of society, including people of determination.

The Council also highlighted the Professional Program for Arab Publishers within the fair’s activities, which will cover topics such as intellectual property, legal aspects, marketing, distribution, technology, artificial intelligence, financial management, business development, and partnerships.

The fair will welcome visitors from Sunday to Thursday during two sessions: morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and evening from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Fridays, it will be open from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The public is invited to visit the fair to explore the latest publications, participate in its diverse cultural program, and meet authors and publishers from Kuwait and participating countries.