Jeddah Book Fair; more than 1,000 local, Arab, and international publishing houses displayed their products at over 400 pavilions

Over 400 pavilions hosted over 1,000 local, Arab, and worldwide publishing firms showcasing their offerings as the Jeddah Book Fair came to an end on December 16. Under the theme "Ports of Culture," the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission arranged a 10-day exposition in the Jeddah Superdome.

Mohammed Hassan Alwan, the commission's CEO, thanked the Saudi authorities for their steadfast support of the cultural industry. The cultural minister, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, was also commended for his supervision and follow-up.

The expo featured more than 80 activities in a cultural programme that offered a thorough and integrated knowledge journey. Seminars, panel talks, poetry readings, and workshops on the publishing of Japanese manga and comics were all part of it. The commission established a section dubbed "Saudi Author" to help independent, self-published authors and gave users access to over 100 publications.

Kids could engage in edutainment activities including puppet workshops, theatre performances, writing stations, and sensory play areas. Experts from both domestic and foreign fields led workshops on stop-motion, animation, fashion, music, food, and comic book development. The "Year of Arab Poetry 2023" programme was also highlighted at the expo, through a number of platforms.

The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission has arranged three such events this year, the first two being in Madinah in June and Riyadh in September. The third is the Jeddah Book Fair.