Indonesia to Showcase Heritage as Guest of Honor at Tunis International Book Fair

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia will take center stage at the 40th Tunis International Book Fair, with the country’s embassy in Tunis preparing to showcase more than 1,000 books highlighting Indonesia’s intellectual and cultural heritage. The event runs from April 23 to May 3, 2026, in Elkram, Tunis.

Indonesian Ambassador to Tunisia Zuhairi Misrawi said the collection will feature works in multiple languages: Indonesian, Arabic, English, and French, reflecting the diversity of Indonesia’s thought and literature. “We will introduce Indonesian ideas and heritage in various languages,” he noted during a press conference on Friday, April 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Among the titles on display are works by prominent Indonesian figures, including Soekarno, Abdurrahman Wahid, and Buya Syafii Maarif. Discussions will also be held around these influential writings. “We will also present the richness of Nusantara culture,” Ambassador Zuhairi added.

The fair itself will involve 37 countries and 400 publishers. Tunisia’s Ministry of Culture has officially named Indonesia the guest of honor for this year’s edition, a recognition Ambassador Zuhairi described as a significant gesture of trust.

“In 2015, Indonesia was the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. Now, in 2026, we are honored in Tunisia. This event will strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Tunisia,” he concluded.

Rallying around this recognition, Indonesia hopes the fair will not only promote its literary treasures but also deepen cultural diplomacy in North Africa and beyond. ***