“Empower book fair with new technology and create a never-ending exchange platform for international book industry.”
– Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF）
ARPress has been actively participating in some of the world’s most prominent international book fairs, from the Bologna Book Fair and the London Book Fair to events in Miami and Sharjah. We’re excited to share that our journey doesn’t stop there. Our latest step forward: participation in the Beijing International Book Fair. This expansion brings even more opportunities to connect with readers, authors, and publishers on a truly global scale. And we’re just getting started.
The 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), held from June 18 to 22, 2025, unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of literary innovation, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration. Hosted at the China National Convention Center, this year’s fair showcased over 400,000 titles and introduced groundbreaking initiatives that highlighted the evolving landscape of global publishing.
Spanning 50,000 square meters, BIBF 2025 featured more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries, a significant increase from previous years. Notably, first-time participants from Bangladesh, Chile, Ethiopia, and Jamaica brought fresh perspectives to the fair’s diverse representation. The event attracted approximately 300,000 visitors on the first day alone, reflecting the growing global interest in literature and publishing.
Looking ahead; as BIBF 2025 concluded, it became evident that the fair had not only showcased the latest trends in publishing but also set the stage for future innovations. The integration of digital technologies, the celebration of cultural heritage, and the fostering of global dialogue all underscored the fair’s role as a pivotal platform in the evolving publishing world.
In the coming years, we anticipate further advancements in digital publishing, deeper cultural exchanges, and continued global collaboration, all of which will shape the future of literature and the publishing industry. BIBF 2025 has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the literary world, paving the way for a more interconnected and innovative publishing landscape.
ARPress has had the privilege of working with talented authors from around the globe. From June 18 to 22, 2025, some of their most remarkable works were showcased at an incredible book fair. It was a proud and humbling moment for both the authors and the publisher to take part in such a meaningful and prestigious event, one that not only celebrated literature but also supported a greater cause.
Recently, in partnership with ARPress, Michael P. Closs, author of “The Book of Mary,” held a successful book signing event during the 2025 Los Angeles Festival of Books (LATFOB) at the University of Southern California.
Michael P. Closs’ masterpiece, The Book of Mary, was featured in the February 2025 issue of The New York Times Book Review (NYTBR) magazine.
The New York Times Book Review is a weekly magazine supplement included in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, where professional critics review current fiction and nonfiction books. It is considered one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the world. Essentially, it serves as a dedicated section within the newspaper, offering in-depth analyses of new books.
Michael P. Closs is a retired professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He is also a Catholic deacon who has served in both Canada and Mexico. Closs’ work is thoroughly researched and carefully crafted. He opens with background on the Gospel of Mark, who likely drew primarily from the Protoevangelium, especially in relation to the Messianic Secret. After this introduction, Closs presents the Protoevangelium itself, based on Mary’s testimony regarding her birth, childhood, Immaculate Conception, and the birth of Jesus. The full text is included, with footnotes for each verse providing historical context, biblical parallels between Mary’s story and Old Testament figures, semantic insights, and interpretations of key events.
“The Book of Mary” by Michael P. Closs takes a fresh, critical look at the Protevangelium of James, one of the earliest texts detailing the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Closs meticulously analyzes historical manuscripts, including Syriac and Greek sources, to explore how this ancient work influenced early Christian beliefs and shaped traditions about Mary’s life, from her miraculous birth to her role in the story of Jesus.
The US Review of Books (USRB) recommends The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protoevangelium of James, Edition 2 by Michael P. Closs. Here’s a review from the USRB that highlights:
“This is a thorough, insightful, and diligent commentary on an ancient text that is not widely known yet forms the basis of the Gospel stories Christians are intimately familiar with. Closs gently encourages readers to think critically about the stories they may have taken for granted, to ‘insert ourselves into the narrative,’ as he states at one point. He shows great compassion for the historical figures, noting, for example, that the Immaculate Conception of Mary ‘would be a nightmare for any woman, to find herself pregnant and not know how it happened. The entire scene is very spiritually painful to both Joseph and Mary.’ He provides bold critiques of other scholars but offers sufficient evidence to back up his conclusions. He also anticipates criticism of his own positions by preemptively providing solid resources and background for his arguments. He guides readers step-by-step through a meticulously crafted commentary, into which he evidently poured his heart and soul. It is a beautiful guide for anyone interested in delving more deeply into the origins of Christianity.”
Michael Closs was also interviewed by Benji Cole from CBS Radio. Michael was inspired to write “The Book of Mary” after years of studying ancient biblical texts and recognizing the gaps in commonly known Christian teachings. The Protevangelium of James fascinated him due to its unique perspective on Mary’s life, a perspective often neglected in mainstream Christian theology. Closs wanted to highlight how this ancient document provides insights into Jewish customs, early Christian beliefs, and the deep spiritual significance of Mary’s journey.
To delve deeper into Michael’s inspiration behind his book, you can watch the full interview below:
The book trailer for “The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protevangelium of James” by Michael Closs has just been released, which underscores the importance of the Protoevangelium of James as a foundational text for the Gospel stories. It offers a fresh perspective, interpreting it not as an early Christian text but as a late Jewish text with prophetic implications for the New Testament. Through historical context and critical analysis, Closs challenges readers to engage deeply with the roots of Christian narratives.
Watch the trailer now and deepen your knowledge of biblical history or uncover new dimensions of Mary’s story.
Purchase the book, “The Book of Mary: A Commentary on the Protevangelium of James” by Michael P. Closs, via this link:
