The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission brought the Riyadh International Book Fair 2024 to a close last night, wrapping up ten days of vibrant cultural activities. Held at King Saud University from September 26 to October 5 under the slogan “Riyadh Reads,” the fair featured Qatar as the guest of honour, creating a dynamic movement in Arab creativity and culture.
The Commission’s CEO, Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, highlighted the overwhelming success of this year’s edition, stating, “The Riyadh International Book Fair received a record-breaking turnout of over one million visitors, both from within the Kingdom and abroad. The exhibition offered an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to access the works of authors and creators from across the Arab world and beyond, opening new doors to knowledge, thought, and literature.”
Dr. Alwan emphasized that the event fostered meaningful exchanges among literary, publishing, and translation professionals from around the globe, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s
cultural standing while promoting reading as a lifestyle. He added that this aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives and the National Strategy for Culture, contributing to societal awareness and quality of life.
This year’s fair featured over 2,000 publishing houses and agencies from more than 30 countries, spread across 800 pavilions, showcasing tens of thousands of titles. Sales exceeded SAR28 million, a testament to the fair’s significance as one of the Arab world’s premier book fairs. The exhibition has bolstered the Arab publishing movement and the printing market while enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi publishers.
Among the fair’s highlights was introducing a specialized business zone, where literary agencies managing author contracts participated alongside local printing presses, providing services to publishers for the first time. This zone offered unique investment opportunities, leading to several agreements between authors and literary agencies, further supporting the Kingdom’s publ
ishing industry and local writers.
The cultural program was equally rich, featuring over 200 activities for all ages, including seminars, panel discussions, poetry readings, and workshops. These events were led by prominent writers and intellectuals from Saudi Arabia and worldwide, fostering cultural exchange and enriching the publishing industry and cultural economy.
A special tribute was paid to the late Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen, a celebrated figure in Saudi and Arab culture, through a memorial corridor displaying his poetry and expressions of love for his homeland. The fair also commemorated International Translation Day on September 30 with seminars and workshops dedicated to translation and celebrated the Year of the Camel with cultural events exploring camels in language and poetry.
The children’s zone was a major attraction, offering various activities, including six theatrical performances and 48 cultural activities across nine themed corners. Families flocked to areas like the “Little Chef,” “F
ashion Design,” and “Story-Making” corners, making it a central destination for young visitors.
The Saudi Author’s Corner initiative provided a platform for emerging Saudi authors to showcase their self-published works, helping young writers introduce their creativity to the reading public and marking their debut in the literary world.
Source: Saudi Press Agency