Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Launches Pavilion at Guadalajara Book Fair

The initiative aims to strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global literary stage and highlight its growing cultural contributions
The initiative aims to strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global literary stage and highlight its growing cultural contributions
TT

Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Launches Pavilion at Guadalajara Book Fair

The initiative aims to strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global literary stage and highlight its growing cultural contributions
The initiative aims to strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global literary stage and highlight its growing cultural contributions

The Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission has launched its pavilion at the 2024 Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico from November 30 to December 8.

The initiative aims to strengthen the Kingdom's presence on the global literary stage and highlight its growing cultural contributions.
Through its pavilion, the commission showcases programs and initiatives aimed at developing the publishing and translation industry in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Investment and the Publishing Association are also participating to present investment opportunities in the Saudi publishing market, alongside publications and products from Saudi publishing houses.
The commission’s pavilion features a dynamic platform that brings together Saudi publishers and literary agencies with their counterparts from around the world. It showcases translations produced by the commission in various languages, as well as a platform to introduce investments in the Saudi publishing market and the works and products of Saudi publishing houses.
Through its participation, the commission aims to achieve several strategic goals, including attracting international publishing houses to the local market by establishing new partnerships and collaborations, enhancing cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and the world, and highlighting the Saudi cultural movement while promoting the country’s rich heritage and diverse culture.
As part of its efforts to enhance Saudi Arabia's global presence, the commission aims to support Saudi literary agencies by providing opportunities to promote the works of Saudi authors internationally. Through its international participation, the commission is committed to strengthening the publishing industry as a key pillar of Saudi culture. It highlights the sector's role in enhancing the Kingdom's position on the global cultural map by developing Arabic content and enriching international cultural exchange.
The Guadalajara International Book Fair is one of the most prominent cultural events globally, bringing together leaders in the publishing industry, thinkers, and authors from around the world. It serves as a meeting point for book creators, publishers, and literary agencies, offering a valuable opportunity to expand cooperation and innovation in this vital sector.



Mosul’s Renowned Minaret Restored from Ravages of ISIS

A view of the Al-Hadba Minaret in the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, which was rebuilt after it was blown up by ISIS militants, in Mosul, Iraq, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily/File Photo
A view of the Al-Hadba Minaret in the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, which was rebuilt after it was blown up by ISIS militants, in Mosul, Iraq, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily/File Photo
TT

Mosul’s Renowned Minaret Restored from Ravages of ISIS

A view of the Al-Hadba Minaret in the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, which was rebuilt after it was blown up by ISIS militants, in Mosul, Iraq, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily/File Photo
A view of the Al-Hadba Minaret in the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, which was rebuilt after it was blown up by ISIS militants, in Mosul, Iraq, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily/File Photo

Mosul’s Grand al-Nuri Mosque, known for its eight-century-old leaning minaret, destroyed by ISIS militants in 2017, has been renovated in a boost for Iraq's second city as it rebuilds after long years of war.

From the pulpit of this medieval mosque on July 4, 2014, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a self-styled ‘caliphate’ spanning parts of Syria and Iraq.

Three years later, the ultra hardline group demolished the mosque in the final weeks of a US-backed Iraqi campaign that ousted the militants from Mosul, their de facto capital in Iraq.

Protracted and fierce urban warfare largely reduced the historic landmarks of Iraq's second city to rubble.

Mahmoud Thannon, 70, a tailor who lives near the mosque and runs a tailor shop overlooking the mosque’s minaret, said his two sons were killed before the al-Hadba minaret was demolished.

"When I saw it collapse, I felt even sadder than when I lost my sons," he said. "Watching the Hadba minaret rise again is a joyous day. I feel our pride soaring high as well.”

“My dear martyred sons would be proud to see the minaret rebuilt if they were alive.” said Thannon, speaking inside his shop with images of his two sons hanging behind him.

He broke into tears as he recalled their deaths by shelling in May and June 2017 in the war against ISIS.

Reconstruction and restoration of the mosque and minaret were carried out in partnership with the UN cultural agency UNESCO, the European Union (EU) and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said over $115 million were mobilized from no less than 15 partners.

“The fact to have it (the minaret) here behind me is like history coming back; is like the identity of this city coming back,” said Azoulay in a speech delivered on February 5 near the mosque to celebrate the completion of the rebuilding work.

The Iraqis called the 150-foot (45-meter) leaning minaret Al-Hadba, or "the hunchback."

The mosque was named after Nuruddin al-Zanki, a noble who fought the early crusaders from a fiefdom that covered territory in modern-day Türkiye, Syria and Iraq. It was built in 1172-73, shortly before his death, and housed an Islamic school.

The Old City's stone buildings, where the mosque is located, date mostly from the medieval period. They include market stalls, a few mosques and churches, and small houses built and rebuilt on top of each other over the ages.