The Arab and Kurdish Book Fair will take place in Prague on 15 and 16 August, bringing together publishers, writers, translators and readers for two days of books, discussions and cultural activities.

Organised by the Syrian Kurdish community in the Czech Republic in co-operation with the Czech PEN Club, the fair aims to strengthen the presence of Kurdish and Arabic literature in the country and encourage dialogue between Kurdish, Arab and European cultures.

Publishers and cultural organisations from several countries will present hundreds of titles in Kurdish, Arabic, Czech and English, alongside books in other languages. The programme will include new releases, author signings, literary discussions and artistic events.

Sessions will explore Kurdish literature, translation, independent publishing, and the relationship between culture and identity. Activities will also seek to encourage reading and help younger generations maintain a strong connection with their language and cultural heritage.

Fair Honours Kurdish Writer Mohammad Sayyid Hussein

 This year’s event is dedicated to the late Kurdish writer Mohammad Sayyid Hussein (1943–2022), in recognition of his contribution to Kurdish literature and culture.

Hussein had a close relationship with the Czech Republic, where he lived for many years, acquired Czech citizenship and continued his literary and intellectual work until his death. His writing and cultural activities left an enduring legacy within Kurdish literature and among the Kurdish community in the Czech Republic.

Jiří Dědeček, President of the Czech PEN Club, said:

“This fair is a celebration of the written word and its ability to bring cultures and peoples closer together. We are delighted that Prague is hosting such cultural and linguistic diversity through an event that strengthens cultural dialogue and enables literature to build bridges of communication and understanding between communities.”

Rashid Khalil, a representative of the Kurdish community in the Czech Republic, described the fair as a meeting place for writers, publishers and readers committed to preserving cultural identity while remaining open to other traditions.

“Naming this year’s edition after Mohammad Sayyid Hussein carries great symbolic significance,” Khalil said. “He was one of the leading figures who devoted his life to Kurdish literature and culture, and his years in the Czech Republic left a clear mark on the cultural life of the community. Our aim is to establish the fair as an annual celebration of books that supports publishing and translation and creates greater opportunities for co-operation between Kurdish and European cultural institutions.”

Ramina Books to Present Latest Titles

London-based Ramina Books will be among the publishing houses taking part. It will showcase recent titles in fiction, short stories, cultural and intellectual studies, translation and children’s literature, including works published in Arabic, Kurdish and English.

Its participation forms part of the publisher’s efforts to increase the international visibility of Arabic, Kurdish and other Eastern literatures, while developing relationships with readers, publishers, translators, universities and cultural organisations.

Haitham Hussein, Director of Ramina Books in London, said:

“Our participation in the Prague fair reflects Ramina’s commitment to fostering cultural partnerships across borders and raising the profile of Arabic, Kurdish and other Eastern literatures in Europe.”

He added: “The fair offers a valuable opportunity to engage with readers, writers, translators and fellow publishers, present our latest titles, and develop new partnerships in publishing, translation and distribution.”

“We believe books have a unique power to bridge cultures and bring people closer together. By participating in European cultural events, publishers can introduce important literary voices to new audiences while creating opportunities for translation and lasting international collaboration.”

Who Was Mohammad Sayyid Hussein?

Mohammad Sayyid Hussein was born in 1943 in Tel Arbid, near Qamishli in north-eastern Syria. Over a career spanning several decades, he wrote poetry, short stories, novels, essays, and intellectual and linguistic studies.

He published more than 20 works and devoted particular attention to the Kurdish language and its literature. His writing was shaped by wide-ranging cultural knowledge and sustained intellectual enquiry, and sought to reinforce the place of Kurdish language and literature in cultural life.

After moving to the Czech Republic, Hussein continued his literary and intellectual activities and participated in initiatives supporting Kurdish culture in the diaspora. He died in February 2022.

By dedicating this year’s fair to Hussein, the organisers seek to honour his contribution to Kurdish culture and introduce his legacy to a new generation of writers and readers.

The organisers hope the Arab and Kurdish Book Fair will become an annual event in Prague’s cultural calendar, offering Kurdish and Arabic literature a prominent European platform and introducing a wider audience to contemporary writing across a range of genres.