King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Participates in Sharjah Int’l Book Fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair
The Sharjah International Book Fair
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King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Participates in Sharjah Int’l Book Fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair
The Sharjah International Book Fair

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is taking part in the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which opened in Sharjah, UAE, on November 1 and will run until November 12.
Ithra’s pavilion at the fair features its library, which is also accessible through virtual reality (VR) technology. Pavilion visitors have the option to register for Ithra's digital library, offering over 43,000 publications in both audio and visual formats in Arabic and English, along with access to more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines.
Free membership to Ithra’s virtual library allows users to easily access its books and publications through the "Libby" and "PressReader" applications.
The Ithra library has witnessed an impressive attendance rate, showcasing its various services and features during its participation in the fair.
Ithra is the diamond sponsor of the Sharjah International Library Conference, organized by the Sharjah International Book Fair for the tenth time in partnership with the American Library Association from November 8 to November 10.



Saudi Woman Creates Arabic Learning Game

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Woman Creates Arabic Learning Game

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Driven by her passion for the Arabic language, Lujain Abulfaraj embarked on a mission to make it more engaging for children. Witnessing her son's disinterest in Arabic, she took it upon herself to come up with a solution, SPA reported.
In 2015, Abulfaraj enrolled in a design program dedicated to exploring the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and its potential as an educational tool. Realizing its capacity to be both entertaining and instructive, she created a game featuring large Arabic letters that could be arranged into words and used for play.
This endeavor led her to establish a venture aimed at enriching language learning for children. In 2020, she introduced "Akwan" (universes in Arabic), a set of magnetic bricks inspired by Arabic calligraphy designed to make learning interactive and enjoyable for children.
During the Riyadh International Book Fair, Abulfaraj, speaking to an SPA reporter, highlighted the boundless creative possibilities that "Akwan" offers children. She commended the Ministry of Culture for its efforts in revitalizing Saudi culture, particularly the language, and for supporting young talent in the country.
Acknowledging her dedication, the Ministry of Culture nominated Abulfaraj for the 2023 Cultural Awards in architecture and design, where she emerged as one of the top three finalists in the Kingdom. Her work also received the "Designed in Saudi" seal.