Ministry of Information and Culture Holds “Kabul Book” Festival

On 18 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH, the Ministry of Information and Culture, through the Directorate of Public Libraries of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and Arts, held the “Kabul Book” Festival at the Queen’s Palace in Bagh-e-Babur in cooperation with the ESA Educational, Social and Agricultural Organization.
The festival aimed to promote a culture of reading, highlight the role of books in society's intellectual and cultural development, encourage young people to read, and support authors, publishers, and booksellers.
The event was attended by Ministry officials, ambassadors and diplomats, government officials, authors, cultural figures, book enthusiasts and journalists.
Dr. Rafiullah Samim, Director of Public Libraries, highlighted the Directorate’s efforts to strengthen and expand public libraries through international exchanges and educational and cultural programs in various provinces aimed at promoting reading and developing young people’s intellectual capacity.
Deputy Minister of Publications M. Muhajir Farahi emphasized the importance of reading in the development of society and the intellectual growth of young people. He said the Ministry supports books and publishers, noting that, following the directive of the Amir al-Mu’minin (may Allah preserve him), domestically published books have been exempted from taxation and taxes on imported books have been reduced. He added that measures are also being taken to address publishers’ challenges.
M. Farahi further noted that, pursuant to the decree of the Amir al-Mu’minin (may Allah preserve him), the Kabul Machine House, formerly used for weapons production, has been converted into a cultural and publishing center for publishers.
Dr. Nanda Iwalist, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Indonesia in Kabul, and other speakers also stressed the importance of books and reading in raising public awareness and promoting intellectual, scientific, cultural and social development. They welcomed such festivals as an opportunity to introduce books and encourage reading, and called for similar programs to continue.
A book exhibition was also held during the festival in cooperation with the Directorate of Quranic Calligraphy and the Directorate of Bayhaqi Book Publishing.
1 September 2026