Western publishers beginning to wake up to the Arabic book market opportunity, would do well to remember said market extends west beyond Egypt.

The 39th Tunis International Book Fair, running 25 April through 4 May 2025, has revealed programme details for its Guest of Honour, China.

A Showcase of Chinese Literature and Culture

Spanning over 500 square metres, the Chinese pavilion will, per the press release, offer a vibrant display of:

* Books and literary magazines

* Live traditional music and arts

* Intellectual seminars and cultural dialogues

* Cutting-edge technology, including AI and digital publishing innovations

More than 100 prominent Chinese cultural figures are expected, representing 40 Chinese publishing houses. Authors including Cao Wenxuan, Yuxiang Hu, and Ying Huang will engage with their Tunisian and Arab counterparts in open forums and dialogue sessions.

Translation and Rights Exchange in Focus

Publishing professionals can look forward to:

* Bilateral publishing agreements between Tunisian and Chinese publishers

*A new five-year renewable programme to support mutual translation of works between Arabic and Chinese

* Formal partnerships to be signed between Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs and its Chinese counterpart during the fair

Beyond Books: A Broader Cultural Celebration

In addition to book fair activities, the City of Culture in Tunis will host:

*A Chinese art exhibition

*A live workshop led by a visiting Chinese artist

*A strong contingent of translators and Arabic-language scholars from China, enhancing cross-cultural understanding

The View From The Beach

For publishing professionals, this event represents a significant opportunity to build relationships, negotiate rights deals, and discover new markets in both directions. As China’s publishing presence grows globally, its strategic participation in MENA-region events such as this will continue to reshape literary and rights landscapes.

Western publishers beginning to wake up to the Arabic book market opportunity, would do well to remember said market extends west beyond Egypt. The Rabat International Book Fair is underway in Morocco, and later this year the Algiers International Book Fair, Algeria’s biggest cultural event, could attract as many as two million visitors.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.