Riyadh Int’l Book Fair Kicks Off with Participation from 30 Countries

Riyadh International Book Fair 2022 at its opening (SPA)
Riyadh International Book Fair 2022 at its opening (SPA)
TT

Riyadh Int’l Book Fair Kicks Off with Participation from 30 Countries

Riyadh International Book Fair 2022 at its opening (SPA)
Riyadh International Book Fair 2022 at its opening (SPA)

The Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF) 2022 kicked off on Thursday amid a wide turnout of visitors looking to discover the latest publications and titles of participating publishing houses from over 30 countries.

RIBF, which is considered the most important book festival in the Arab world, will last for 10 days.

Around 1,200 publishing houses are showcasing their titles at the grand fair, with the theme of “Cultural Chapters.”

Moreover, the fair will feature seminars and cultural and artistic events.

As a “guest of honor,” Tunisia is attending with a group of its intellectuals and artists.

In honor of Tunisia, RIBF theaters were named “Carthage,” “Green Tunisia” and “Kairouan.”

RIBF is classified as the largest book market in the region, and one of the most important destinations for selling and distributing Arabic books. The fair is known for attracting many visitors and a high volume of sales.

Tunisia’s participation at the RIBF will cover several enrichment seminars.

A session on “Tunisian Architecture” had already shed light on the legacy of ten centuries of Tunisian civilizations.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, Tunisian artist Ziad Gharsa, one of the most prominent singers of Tunisian musical heritage, will perform for three nights at the Green Tunisia theater.

At the concerts, Gharsa will play many musical instruments, such as the oud, violin, and piano.

There will also be the Tunisian Night at the al-Ahmar Theater at Princess Nourah University in Riyadh, where Saber al-Rubai, Latifa, and Olfa bin Ramadan will be in concert on Oct. 1.

On Oct. 6, visitors will get to enjoy Andalusian poems performed at the Green Tunisia theater.



Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
TT

Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Thousands of thankful, sobbing fans flocked to a Tokyo zoo Saturday to bid an emotional farewell to a pair of beloved pandas before their imminent return to China, Agence France Presse reported.

Sporting T-shirts, hats and sun umbrellas featuring the black and white bears, visitors shed tears, took selfies and eagerly waved at Ri Ri and Shin Shin on the panda couple's penultimate day at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

More than 2,000 panda lovers formed long queues outside the zoo Saturday morning, some having spent the whole night there armed with picnic blankets and camping chairs.

Among the most committed was Mayuko Sumida, 44, who said she had arrived around 10 pm the previous night, carrying with her panda-shaped key rings.

"I'm overwhelmed," she said after admiring the two for the last time.

"They are the best duo that brings comfort and smiles to me."

The mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a "panda diplomacy" program to foster foreign ties.

The pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 and were due to stay until February 2026, but Japan and China agreed it would be better for the 19-year-olds to return to their home country in light of their declining health.

They will be transported back to China on Sunday.

- 'Emotional support' pandas -

On Saturday, strict crowd control measures were in place at the zoo to escort fans away after giving them just a few minutes to adore and photograph the pair through the glass.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin were "like the sun to me" and "always gave me emotional support,” Machiko Seki, who like other fans wore black to avoid window reflections ruining their pictures, told AFP.

"When I look at their smiles, whatever worries me just goes away... I can't be more grateful for them," the woman in her 50s said, shedding tears.

The pair gave birth in 2017 to cub Xiang Xiang -- the zoo's first baby panda since 1988, who became a massive draw -- as well as twins in 2021.

Many fans cried when Xiang Xiang was returned to China last year, and her departure was broadcast live on local television.

Michiyo Matoba, 61, has been coming to see Xiang Xiang's parents almost every week.

"Ri Ri loves climbing trees so I hope he will enjoy those mountains of China as much as he likes, and the glutton Shin Shin will hopefully start eating to her heart's content after regaining her health,” she said.