The Tunis international book fair is an annual cultural event of international scope, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation.

Objectives

To contribute to the promotion of books as a fundamental medium and mediator for the transmission of ideas and knowledge.

To offer the public a choice opportunity of discovering the latest in intellectual, literary, scientific and artistic production in Tunisia and in the world.

To contribute to the establishment of a tradition of reading and use of books.

To create an enabling environment for developing exchange and partnerships in the spheres of creation, publishing and distribution and fostering contacts between professionals in the sector both on the national and international levels.

To organise on the fringe of the fair any activity for the promotion of dialogue and exchange in intellectual, literary and/or artistic life.

Development

At the time of it’s creation in 1982, the Tunisian International book fair sessions were restricted to Arab books, and then the fair progressively expanded to gain an international dimension.

Since 1991, the fair is continuously organised in “Kram exhibition Parc” which is situated around 10km from Tunis City, a larger and better-suited venue offering improved conditions of access, of visitor reception and exhibition, meeting the demands created by the development of the event as illustrated by the increasing number of exhibitors and the greater diversity of participants (publishers, distributors or bookshops and visitors.

In view of the large number of visitors it attracts, the Tunis book fair has become one of the most popular cultural events and a choice opportunity for organizing various cultural events directly or indirectly connected to the world of literary, intellectual, scientific and artistic creation.

  The Tunis book fair also play a reputed part in the promotion of professional relations between literary agents, publishers, distributors and bookshops.

The public

In the previous session (2007), the Tunis book fair received around 250. 000 visitors representing all age groups, the various social and cultural categories and from all regions of the country.

From it’s International range, the Tunis International book fair attract a thousands of professionals and foreign visitors, mostly from Maghreb (North Africa), from  Arabian  and francophone countries.

The 26th session 2008

The 26th session will seek to achieve the following goals:

1) Reinforce the event’s international vocation and its openness on the world Cultures by widening the participation of more countries and welcoming more qualified editors.

2) Ensure a better balance between the cultural, literary, scientific and technical production published through books.

3) Intensify the promotion activities to the profit of editorial newness and new talents.

4) Grant particular attention to activities for young people and children.

5) to  promote a best diffusion of Tunisian book within and outside of the country.

6) Promote quality and seriousness in choice criteria of books and participants.

7) Reinforce the dialogue between cultures and civilisations.