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)
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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.



Indian Artisans Tackle Waste with Creative Upcycling

In this photograph taken on September 17, 2024, a person with disability, recycles plastic waste as part of the Avacayam employment program by the Society for Child Development, in New Delhi. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
In this photograph taken on September 17, 2024, a person with disability, recycles plastic waste as part of the Avacayam employment program by the Society for Child Development, in New Delhi. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
TT

Indian Artisans Tackle Waste with Creative Upcycling

In this photograph taken on September 17, 2024, a person with disability, recycles plastic waste as part of the Avacayam employment program by the Society for Child Development, in New Delhi. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
In this photograph taken on September 17, 2024, a person with disability, recycles plastic waste as part of the Avacayam employment program by the Society for Child Development, in New Delhi. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

The world's most populous nation India has a waste problem to match, but one group hopes their efforts can inspire change in one of the top polluters of plastic.

At a bustling workshop north of the capital New Delhi, artisan Ram Babu turns a discarded cigarette packet into a papier mache candle, AFP reported.

Babu, a 28-year-old amputee, is among scores of people with disabilities who have been trained to turn "trash to cash" and do their bit for the environment.

"It feels good to work despite my challenging situation," beamed Babu, as he deftly covered the packet with clay, using sprinkles of water.

Life held little hope for Babu after he lost his right hand and leg in a train accident in 2005.

But he found courage again when he stumbled upon the Avacayam employment program, run by the Society for Child Development, a New Delhi-based charity.

The word "Avacayam" comes from Sanskrit, and roughly translates to "gathering flowers".

Avacayam participants turn orange and yellow flowers that were offered in temples and later gathered up into incense sticks and colored powder used widely in festivals.

They also transform fallen idols of Hindu gods and goddesses -- often left piled under sacred trees -- into sacred powder for temple rituals.

"I have been working for more than 14 years now. My life has found a new direction and purpose," said Babu, who earns 10,000 rupees ($120) a month.

Others like Babu make decorative items, bags and pouches out of recycled waste, which is collected every day at their sprawling center.

Plastic bottles are also reused to make a variety of craft products.

The group's efforts scrape the surface.

In India, municipal governments with limited resources often struggle to manage mountains of waste, with towering piles of foul-smelling rubbish littering the edge of New Delhi.

India generates more than 65 million tons of waste in a year, according to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute, a New Delhi-based research group, but only around a fifth is processed and treated.

A study in Nature published this month named India as the largest plastic pollution emitter, producing nearly one-fifth of global plastic emissions.

Global experts -- including the multi-nation "High Ambition Coalition" -- argue the focus must not only be on waste treatment, but urgently required control measures on plastic production itself.

Charity groups such as Avacayam say they set an example, doing what they can.

"We collect waste and trash from offices, homes and factories," said Madhumita Puri, the founder of the Society for Child Development.

"Then we recycle them to make beautiful things which can be enjoyed again."

Puri said the work also helps people with disabilities live a life of dignity.

Abdul Sheikh, whose legs were stunted by polio, had little means of employment until Puri's charity knocked at his door.

"I learnt that day that we should never lose hope in the face of adversities," said Sheikh, 30, who makes decorative papier mache items.

"Now I don't have to depend on others for anything. I don't have legs but today I am standing on my feet."