Riyadh International Book Fair to Promote Saudi Authors

Bibliophiles will be busy getting ready to take a plunge into a world of books at Riyadh Front, the architecturally-appealing mega business and leisure destination that doubles up as the choice venue for this year’s edition of the Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF). The fair begins on 29 September and will continue until 8 October, 2022.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and organized by the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission, the much-awaited 10-day literary carnival in the capital city aims to facilitate quality exchanges between authors, publishers, and readers from all around the world. The book fair is a popular international platform for the literature, publishing, and translation industries, and additionally aims to promote and develop the passion for reading and raising awareness of art, culture, knowledge, and literature.

Tunisia has been chosen as the guest of honour country at RIBF 2022 as a recognition of its rich culture and the joint efforts being made between the two countries to promote cultural cooperation.

Various cultural and literary seminars, panel discussions, book signings, and poetry evenings featuring Nabati and al-Fasih poets will be held on RIBF 2022’s main stage and talk platform. The meet-and-greet events with writers, poets, and intellectuals from all over the region form a cultural window highlighting the Saudi culture to the world and giving the world access to the Saudi culture.

The 2022 edition will feature a dedicated pavilion for Saudi self-publishing authors to showcase their works to a global audience. Nearly 200 titles, on one-per-writer basis, will be selected and marketed by the organizers. Khalid Al-Taweel, member of the cultural committee at the Literary Club in Medina says, “Any step that encourages Saudi authors to present their works enhances their presence,” adding that the literature commission’s latest move to have an exclusive pavilion for Saudi self-publishing authors “reflects the ongoing evolution of the publishing movement within the Kingdom.”

The Publisher’s Conference, another highlight of the book fair, is an ideal platform to encourage and promote local, regional, and international cooperation among stakeholders from the publishing industry. Workshops and dialogue sessions presented by major Arab publishing houses and leaders in the publishing industry will be featured.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hone their skills and knowledge awareness by participating in the daily workshops presented by a number of experts in the field of art, bookmaking, publishing, reading, translation, and writing.

Visiting families do not have much to worry as the innovative Child’s Pavilion will take care of the younger members with a variety of hybrid activities that aims to promote their growth and develop cognitive skills within an educational and entertaining framework.

Opening Hours: 10am to 11pm.