Tunis City Book Fair brings culture to the capital’s heart

TUNIS -

This winter, one of North Africa’s most iconic avenues will trade traffic for thought, as central Tunis transforms into an open-air celebration of books, ideas and culture.

The 14th edition of the Tunis City Book Fair will run from December 18 to January 3 along Habib Bourguiba Avenue, under the slogan “Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Avenue of Culture.” Set opposite the historic Municipal Theatre in the heart of the capital, the fair aims to turn the city’s main thoroughfare into a vibrant meeting place for readers, writers and thinkers.

Organised by the Regional Delegation for Cultural Affairs in Tunis and the Municipality of Tunis, in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the event brings together a broad coalition of institutions, including the Tunis governorate, the National Centre for Book Promotion and the Tunisian Publishers’ Union. The scale of participation reflects the fair’s growing importance on Tunisia’s cultural calendar.

More than 80 Tunisian publishing houses are set to take part, offering over 30,000 titles spanning literature, the humanities and a wide range of fields of knowledge. To encourage wider access to reading, organisers say book discounts of up to 50 per cent will be available throughout the event.

Beyond book sales, the fair places strong emphasis on dialogue and debate. A dedicated cultural tent will host workshops, panel discussions and literary encounters, bringing together around 130 contributors, including writers, poets, researchers and intellectuals. Discussions will explore contemporary themes such as philosophy, artificial intelligence and the impact of global cultures on Tunisia’s evolving cultural landscape, reflecting an effort to connect books with the questions shaping today’s world.

This year’s edition also highlights cultural decentralisation. The southern governorate of Kebili and the north-western region of Siliana have been named guests of honour, showcasing their distinct cultural identities through exhibitions, meetings and performances. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the capital and the regions, giving space to voices and creativity often overlooked in national cultural life.

Founded in 2012, the Tunis City Book Fair forms part of Tunisia’s broader strategy to promote reading and support the book industry. Over the years, it has grown into more than a commercial event, becoming a public forum where culture spills out into the city itself.

By reclaiming a landmark urban space for literature and ideas, the fair turns the act of reading into a shared civic experience. For nearly three weeks, Habib Bourguiba Avenue will not just be a place people pass through, but a place where stories are exchanged, debates unfold and culture takes centre stage, a reminder that books still have the power to bring cities, and societies, together.