From April 22 to 26, the IX International Book Exhibition and Fair Astana Eurasian
Book Fair 2026 will be held at the Presidential Center in the capital. It is one of the
largest cultural and educational events in Central Asia, according to the official
website of the city administration. The event is organized by Foliant Publishing
House with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of
Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana. Approximately 80 companies representing the
publishing, printing, bookselling, and academic sectors will take part in the fair.
Around half of them are Kazakhstani organizations, while some 40 companies are
expected from Russia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Spain,
China, Iran, Belarus, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom. The five-day
program will feature a wide range of cultural and business events, including book
presentations, meetings with authors, autograph sessions, and special masterclasses at
the children’s activity zone. Among the highlights are presentations of the following
publications: «Turkish Cuisine» (published with the support of the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism of Turkey), Bekarys Shoibekov’s collection of aitys «Bekarys
— The Golden Voice of Aitys», Marzhan Yershu’s poem «A Solitary Hand»,
«Yeldos Smetov. Endurance. Faith. Victory» from the «Contemporaries» series,
Yerlan Kozhabayev’s photo album «Kazakh Ornaments», Andrzej Sapkowski’s
fantasy novel «The Witcher», Ularbek Daley’s historical novel «Batu Khan», «The
Ownerless Shadow» by Alisher Rakhat, «The Journey of Hope» by Spanish writer
Javier Moro, «For Whom the Bell Tolls» by Ernest Hemingway, «A Poem-Woman»
by Azerbaijani poet Rasmia Sabir, Baiyt Kabanuly’s «Mongol Poetry», «The Tears of
the White Zhaiyk» by Nursultan Myktybay, as well as the album books «Turkestan —
Eternal and Ever New» and «Dimash Qudaibergen. Infinite Music». On April 23, in
celebration of the National Book Day, an official award ceremony will be held for the
winners of the national competition Ulttyq Kitap, organized by the Ministry of
Culture and Information of Kazakhstan. The official opening ceremony of the
exhibition will take place on April 22 at 11:00, with the participation of government
and public figures, prominent writers, and foreign ambassadors.