Riyadh International Book Fair Celebrates Cultural Exchange

Book lovers are in for a treat with the 2024 edition of the Riyadh International Book Fair.

From September 26 to October 5 at King Saud University, attendees can enjoy over 2,000 publishing houses from 30 countries. Through the event, the organizer—Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission—hopes to promote cultural exchange and knowledge sharing.

What to expect at Riyadh International Book Fair

Under the theme of “Riyadh Reads,” the fair celebrates reading and draws readers, writers, and industry professionals across the globe.

With activities catering to all ages, the event offers cultural and recreational spaces for children. It also provides specific areas for Saudi authors and opportunities for book signings. Moreover, the fair also emphasized promoting Saudi authors while simultaneously fostering international literary dialogue.

A key highlight was when American author Walter Isaacson praised Saudi Arabia’s renewed focus on cultural and literary engagement. In particular, he lauded the event’s growing entrepreneurship in the energy and development sectors. His comments reflected the fair’s pivotal role in encouraging a deeper cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and the global literary community.

Qatar as guest of honor

This year’s guest of honor at the Riyadh International Book Fair is Qatar, with its numerous publishing houses. It represents a fantastic opportunity for Qatari writers to shine and present the flourishing state of the publishing industry in Qatar.

One of the notable participants is the Qatar University Press, with 80 publications under its belt. These span subjects such as philosophy, business management, sociology, Islamic studies, history, academic books, law, and more.

Another impressive feature of the book fair is its five reading zones, under the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission’s supervision. These five reading zones will help guests interact with authors and fellow book enthusiasts. Moreover, they aid in promoting reading’s essential role in helping establish a knowledgeable and adaptable society keeping with the times.

Start them young

One particular author making headlines is 12-year-old Saudi Abdallah Ali. Ali is officially the youngest novelist at the Riyadh International Book Fair, drawing crowds with his very first published work. According to a September 29 report by Gulf News, the young creative has already sold 1,000 of his books.

Ali’s book, “Are You Still Sorry” is about an orphan dealing with the aftermath of his sister’s injury. In the story, he at first thinks his sister has died, but later on discovers she is still alive. Later on, he finds out that his sister has been kidnapped into a parallel world and tries to rescue her.

The child writer says he wrote the novel when he was 10. After finishing it in 2024, he presented it to a publishing house. Given the book’s open ending, he plans on second and third sequels.

About the Riyadh International Book Fair

The Riyadh International Book Fair traces its history to 2006 when the Ministry of Higher Education ram the event. Eventually, the Ministry of Culture took over.

Today, it is one of the biggest book fairs in the MENA region, attracting thousands of visitors yearly. Apart from its book signings, talks, workshops, and cultural performances, it also showcases the latest trends in the publishing industry.

The event is just one of the many being hosted by Riyadh. The metropolis has been projected to become one of the fastest-growing cities in the world by 2033.

Photo from Saudi Press Agency