Ashraf AboArafe
Riyadh – The Literature, Publishing and Translation Authority is preparing to launch the Riyadh International Book Fair 2023, which is scheduled to be held from September 28 to October 7 at its new headquarters at King Saud University, in Riyadh, under the slogan “Inspirational Destination” on an area of more than 46,000 square meters. As the largest book fair in the Kingdom, and the largest in the Arab world in terms of the diversity of the cultural program and its activities suitable for all age groups.
The exhibition witnesses wide participation from publishing houses, proxy houses, cultural bodies and institutions, presenting the latest publications and titles to more than a million visitors, in addition to international houses displaying rare and precious holdings, such as books, precious manuscripts, and paintings.
For ten consecutive days, visitors will enjoy the activities of the cultural program, which includes more than 200 activities, including: dialogue seminars, poetry evenings performed by elite classical and Nabati poets, workshops in various fields of knowledge, along with narrators, and various activities to educate the child, enrich his abilities, and refine his abilities. His cognitive skills in an atmosphere full of culture. In addition to Saudi and international theatrical performances, musical and lyrical concerts, as well as the “Book Talk” event, which hosts a group of influential thinkers and authors, in activities that reflect all elements and components of culture.
The exhibition hosts book signing platforms that host a group of writers to sign their latest publications and gift them to their readers, a large area for children, and a number of supportive pavilions, in addition to allocating a corner for the Saudi author for self-publishing, allowing the opportunity to display more than 400 titles for Saudi authors, as the exhibition is managed Parking, receiving books, selling them, collecting and financial receipts, etc.
For the first time this year, the Riyadh International Book Fair is organizing a poetry recitation competition for children, so that the child can enjoy the experience of learning poetic writing skills and recitation techniques, which enhances skills.
The linguistic and personality of the child, and he becomes better able to bear responsibility, and contributes to the discovery and development of talents, in addition to the continuation of the exhibition award organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Authority, which is dedicated to publishing houses, and covers five categories for excellence in publishing, namely: children, translation, digital platforms, and Saudi content , and general category; To consolidate the role of publishers in enriching cultural content, the winners are granted a translation grant provided by the exhibition partner – Roshen Real Estate Development Company of the Public Investment Fund.
The exhibition is accompanied by the “International Publishers Conference”, which is organized by the Authority on the fourth of October, with the participation of an elite group of local and international speakers, including leaders of the publishing industry, individual publishers, and authors.
And content makers and specialists, who will discuss in dialogue sessions various aspects of the book industry. To transfer professional experiences to emerging companies, enhance the opportunities of local publishers to enter the field of copyright trading, enable the sale and trading of rights and transfer of experiences, export Saudi culture to the world, and develop the publishing industry by adopting the highest quality standards and best international practices.
