The printing and trade of books have undergone radical transformations that have affected booksellers in Syria, as technology and technical developments dominate all fields. Many reading enthusiasts have turned away from physical books and replaced them with electronic versions, making the profession of selling books face challenges to its continuity.

According to the report “Reading in the Arab World” issued by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in 2016, 80% of Arabs do not read any books annually, while the percentage of those who read one book or more does not exceed 20%.

“The book is a friend that does not betray,” expressed Abdullah Hamdan, a bookseller on a stall under the Freedom (al-Hurriya) Bridge in Damascus, reflecting his relationship with books over 25 years, while the value of physical books declines in the age of digitization.

Digital books compete with paper ones

A report by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in 2020 showed that the number of digital readers in the Arab world has increased, but this has not compensated for the decline in traditional reading.

The report indicated that 60% of young people prefer reading online or via smart devices.

According to a study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), although the reading rate in developing countries is not high, developed countries have witnessed a significant decline in reading traditional books due to distractions from technology and social media.

This was confirmed by bookseller Abdullah Hamdan, who noted a significant decrease in the number of readers over the last ten years, with his sales ranging from 4 to 10 books a day, and sometimes not selling any books at all.

What are the reasons?

Hamdan attributed the decline in the number of readers to the emigration of most Syrian intellectuals and reading enthusiasts abroad, leaving behind a small number of students who benefit from books for their studies. This, coupled with the economic hardships faced by Syrian society, has led many to view books as luxuries in their lives.

In turn, many readers have opted to replace physical copies with electronic versions, which Hamdan views as a solution that hasn’t succeeded in obtaining information. It is often impossible to find the original copies of certain books as in printed versions, and there are also incomplete or counterfeit versions attributed to unknown authors at times, making them not equivalent to the physical copies.

“We are struggling to continue a profession that connects us with an unparalleled love,” Hamdan described his relationship with the book-selling profession, declaring that despite his study of Sharia, he has only ever worked in selling books.

Hamdan encourages reading by giving every visitor a book free of charge, simply to motivate them to read and protect his profession from fading in the digital age.

Bookseller Ihsan Hab al-Rumman in front of his stall under the Freedom (al-Hurriya) Bridge in Damascus – March 10, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Christina al-Shammas)

Booksellers in Damascus

The number of booksellers in Damascus has significantly decreased in recent years, with only 20 bookstores remaining in the al-Halbouni area, 7 stalls at the Freedom (al-Hurriya) Bridge, and about 5 stalls among the colleges in the Baramkeh area.

“Our situation is like that of someone holding onto embers,” expressed seller Ihsan Hab al-Rumman, known as “Abu Osama,” who has been selling books for 30 years, describing their profession as “a remnant of a beautiful era.” He feels unable to leave this profession, which he inherited from his father since he was 10 years old.

According to “Abu Osama,” despite the nominal prices of books, many libraries have closed due to losses after many readers refused to buy them. Today’s reading enthusiasts can be counted on one hand, he stated.

Booksellers faced pressure under the previous regime with restrictions on selling and circulating certain books, including political writings.

Bookstall sellers have also suffered financial losses after the Damascus Governorate, in October 2024, removed all stalls under the Freedom Bridge with bulldozers and confiscated nearly 200,000 books.

Bookseller Abdullah Hamdan’s losses reached about 100 million Syrian pounds after the governorate confiscated all his books without prior notice, according to his statement.