Europe’s first Palestinian bookstore opens in Barcelona

• Europe’s first bookstore dedicated entirely to Palestinian culture and history has opened in Barcelona’s Gràcia district.
• Organizers say the project aims to preserve and promote the Palestinian narrative through literature while serving as a cultural and educational hub.

Europe's first bookstore dedicated exclusively to Palestinian culture and history has opened in Barcelona's historic Gràcia district, marking the launch of a cultural initiative designed to promote Palestinian literature, history, and identity.

Named Finistres Palestine, the bookstore was established by the Finistres Foundation to foster a deeper understanding of Palestine through books, educational activities, and cultural events. Organizers describe the project as more than a traditional bookstore, saying it aims to serve as a space for dialogue and learning about the Palestinian experience.

Palestinian writer Mohammed Bittari, one of the project's supervisors, said the bookstore houses thousands of titles translated into several languages. The collection includes novels, poetry, theater, history, visual arts, and academic works, offering what organizers describe as one of Europe's most comprehensive collections dedicated to Palestinian culture.

Bittari said the idea for the bookstore emerged after Palestinian books in a Spanish library were deliberately vandalized by having coffee poured over them. The incident prompted the foundation to create an independent space devoted entirely to Palestinian literature and intellectual production.

According to the organizers, the project is intended to protect and amplify Palestinian voices while providing readers with direct access to works produced by Palestinian authors both before and after the occupation.

The bookstore has drawn interest from academics, writers, local residents, and visitors to Barcelona. Organizers said publishing houses responded quickly to the initiative, helping expand the collection with newly released books related to Palestine.

In addition to selling books, the venue functions as a cultural and information center, offering reading recommendations, historical context, and discussions to help visitors better understand the Palestinian cause through literature and documented historical accounts.

The foundation plans to host lectures, educational programs, book launches, and literary events featuring Palestinian writers, artists, and intellectuals. Organizers say they hope the bookstore will strengthen cultural dialogue and deepen awareness of Palestinian history and heritage across Europe.

"The bookstore is not just shelves of books," Bittari said. "It is a place where people can ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn about Palestine through its literature, history, and culture."