The 63rd Beirut International Arab Book Fair, known as Maarad al-Kitab, was scheduled to take place in the capital earlier this month, has been postponed to 2020 due to the protests that have swept the Lebanese nation since October 17. In a statement made by the Syndicate of Publishers Union and the Arab Cultural Club in Lebanon on Facebook, the fair will now take place from February 28 until March 10. According to the statement, the decision to move the fair was made in order to guarantee its success. This isn't the first event of its kind to be postponed due to the political situation. Ashkal Alwan, one of the country's most influential non-profit arts organisations, <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/cultural-organisations-in-lebanon-join-forces-in-the-fight-for-the-right-to-dream-1.933183">postponed the opening of Home Works 8</a>, which was was due to run for 10 days and include exhibitions, performances, readings, lectures and film screenings, indefinitely after the eruption of protests. Also, the Beirut Marathon Association postponed the Beirut Marathon to November 8, 2020.
