Riyadh International Book Fair 2023; More than 1,800 publishing houses from 32 countries around the world are showcasing their recent works

The Riyadh International Book Fair 2023 opened on Thursday at the King Saud University campus and features more than 1,800 publishing firms from 32 nations displaying their most recent works. The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which is part of the Ministry of Culture, is hosting a 10-day festival of literature and culture with the theme "An inspiring destination" in which Oman is the special guest.

As part of the "Riyadh Reads French" campaign, 70 French publishing firms are also attending the book market. The festival, which runs until October 7, also has a unique exhibit of more than 25 pieces of rare manuscripts and artefacts as well as creative artwork. More than 200 cultural events will take place during the festival, which is anticipated to draw more than one million book lovers and readers.

In terms of the variety of the cultural programmes and the activities it offers to suit the interests of people of all ages, the book fair is the greatest festival of books in the Kingdom and the Arab world. The exhibition handles translation, dubbing, oral storytelling, a huge range of subjects, and rich cultural exchanges while focusing on biography, children's literature, content creation, and empowerment. It is the largest cultural programme of its kind in the Arab world. The head of the commission, Mohammed Alwan, announced that the cultural festival, which is being hosted by the city of Riyadh, will welcome everyone, especially family members, without charge beginning on Thursday morning. Everyone is welcome to attend the book fair, which was set up on a space measuring more than 50,000 square metres, without needing tickets or invites, and they may take advantage of the abundance of culture, entertainment, and the arts in the neighbourhood.

The guests will experience the book fair as a cultural carnival. Numerous platforms will be used to host a galaxy of intellectuals, prominent authors, philosophers, critics, and pioneers of the artistic sectors from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other countries to enhance the exhibition's nights.

The book fair has more than 200 cultural events, including discussions, lectures, poetry readings by eminent classical and Nabati poets, workshops in a range of subject areas, and interactions between authors and writers. The fair offers a variety of educational programmes designed to develop young people's knowledge, skills, and talents while fostering a joyful, multicultural culture. Additionally, there will be theatrical productions from Saudi Arabia and abroad, musical and lyrical concerts, and the Book Talk event, which brings together a number of notable authors and thinkers for activities that encompass all facets of culture.

Along with a sizable space for kids and a number of helpful pavilions, the fair will also feature book signing platforms where a number of authors may gather to sign their most recent works and show them to their audience. A section dedicated to Saudi writers who self-publish gives them the chance to showcase more than 400 of their works. The Riyadh Book Fair is hosting a poem recitation competition for kids for the first time this year so that the youngsters may take part in the experience of learning poetic writing and recitation techniques, which improves their language abilities and personality development.

The International Publishers Conference, which will evaluate the realities of the publishing sector in the Arab world and work to expand it so that it can compete on a global scale, will take place at the expo on Wednesday, October 4. The conference will examine a number of facets of the book business as well as the difficulties encountered by publishers. The event will feature a number of notable Saudi and foreign speakers, including leaders in the publishing sector, independent publishers, writers, content creators, and professionals.

At the centre of the show, in a prominent location, is the pavilion of Oman, the guest of honour nation, which presents a vast assortment of books, manuscripts, and many features of Omani national culture to visitors. Aspects of Omani intellectual and cultural production are included in its cultural programme. The pavilion honours the nation's emblems, publications, and contributions to the Arab cultural scene while reflecting the nation's identity and showcasing books and manuscripts that reflect the nation's rich legacy and diverse cultural experiences.

The expo will feature well-known Omani cultural personalities and artists, giving visitors a special chance to interact with the nation's thriving literary and cultural scene. A captive audience will also see the newest books from Omani publishers. The fact that Oman was chosen as the honoree highlights how closely the two countries have been connected historically and socially. It demonstrates their common commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding.