Beirut: Minister of Culture, Dr. Ghassan Salamé, inaugurated the 2026 Children’s Book Fair at the National Library. The fair, themed “Together We Spread the Love of Reading,” showcases the latest children’s book publications for ages 5 to 15.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Minister Salamé took the opportunity to engage with children by reading a story to them, emphasizing the value of books as companions. He highlighted the ministry’s concern over the declining reading habits among youth, explaining that the fair aims to foster a tangible relationship between children and books. The event also allows publishers to gauge children’s reactions to their offerings, enabling them to refine their future publications.
Minister Salamé outlined plans for further initiatives throughout the year aimed at promoting reading and study. These include strengthening libraries outside the capital and enhancing the variety of books available to readers. He stressed the importance of reading, cautioning that negle
cting it in favor of digital content could lead to a loss of intellectual concentration among children.
The minister expressed optimism about the fair, hoping it would become an annual cultural tradition that encourages reading habits among the younger generation.