The Kabul Book Fair was held in celebration of World Book Day
The Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization (AELSO) and The White Assembly, in collaboration with Bakhtar University and several publisher who are our partners, brought together authors, researchers, university professors, and curious minds at the Kabul Book Fair — a vibrant space for sharing ideas, stories, and a collective love for learning of the values of peace, dignity, and freedom.
At the Kabul Book Fair, we showcased all our translated books authored by the renowned scholar Dr. Eamonn Butler and other distinguished thinkers from around the world. We proudly distributed approximately 580 books to students, researchers, and scholars.
More than 2,000 students, scholars, journalists, and university professors visited the fair. Alongside us, over 14 book publishers — our partners in publishing across Afghanistan — actively participated and presented their publications to promote a deeper understanding of peace, freedom, tolerance, and human dignity among attendees.
One highlight of the fair was the debut of Development with Dignity, a book that many see as a game-changer for Afghanistan’s growth. Experts and development institutions underscored the importance of implementing their ideas within the country’s development programs. The event itself felt like a big conversation, with authors, publishers, professors, and young readers all sharing their thoughts on how we can build a brighter future together.
Javed Farhad, an author and literary researcher, said, “A book is a bridge between the past and the future; with every page we turn, we gain new wisdom and broaden our society’s horizons.” Abdullah Adeeb, a young publisher, remarked, “Publishing a book is a mission to preserve our intellectual and cultural heritage; each work printed is a step toward building a brighter tomorrow.” Young attendees and other visitors also described books as “the primary source of awareness and progress in human life,” stressing their role in promoting practical knowledge and strengthening cultural values. Ahmad Wasim Formoli, one of the visitors, commented, “Events like this are crucial for promoting a reading culture; I hope more fairs like this will be organized so that a love of reading spreads throughout society.”
With over five thousand titles on display, the Kabul Book Fair became a lively gathering where writers, researchers, professors, students, and publishers came together to share ideas and their experiences, connect with one another, and spark exciting new partnerships.
AELSO expresses its gratitude to all partners and participants and reaffirms its commitment to preserving cultural values through such events, opening windows of hope, knowledge, and enlightenment so that the voice of learning and wisdom may resonate throughout society.
Over 10 media outlets covered the event and produced special reports on this book fair. You can find the full list of these outlets here.