Beirut, October 09 (QNA) - The 67th Beirut Arab International Book Fair opened in the Lebanese capital on Friday, bringing together 163 local and Arab publishing houses for a program of literary, intellectual and cultural events.

Organized by the Arab Cultural Club in cooperation with the Syndicate of Publishers Union in Lebanon, the fair will run until October 18 and feature panel discussions, literary events, artistic activities and book-signing sessions.

The program includes around 90 cultural events, comprising 61 panel discussions and nine lectures, alongside meetings, poetry and music evenings, tribute events and 10 activities dedicated to children.

Topics covered during the fair include literature, novels, poetry, history, politics, economics and artificial intelligence, with the participation of writers, researchers and intellectuals from Lebanon and other Arab countries.

Daily book-signing sessions will showcase new publications, while children will be able to take part in drawing workshops, storytelling sessions and educational activities. The program also includes events commemorating prominent literary and intellectual figures.

First launched by the Arab Cultural Club in 1956 at West Hall at the American University of Beirut, the fair has moved between several venues over the decades. It has been held on Beirut's waterfront since 2004. (QNA)