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.



Japan Witnesses Warmest Autumn on Record

This aerial image shows autumn leaves at their peak as they surround Tsutenkyo Bridge amongst the grounds of Tofukuji Temple, in the city of Kyoto on November 27, 2024. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP)
This aerial image shows autumn leaves at their peak as they surround Tsutenkyo Bridge amongst the grounds of Tofukuji Temple, in the city of Kyoto on November 27, 2024. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP)
TT

Japan Witnesses Warmest Autumn on Record

This aerial image shows autumn leaves at their peak as they surround Tsutenkyo Bridge amongst the grounds of Tofukuji Temple, in the city of Kyoto on November 27, 2024. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP)
This aerial image shows autumn leaves at their peak as they surround Tsutenkyo Bridge amongst the grounds of Tofukuji Temple, in the city of Kyoto on November 27, 2024. (Photo by JIJI Press / AFP)

Japan has recorded its warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, delaying the country's popular displays of seasonal foliage into December.

"This year was 1.97 degrees Celsius higher than usual... making it the hottest autumn since 1898, when statistics began," the Japan Meteorological Agency said Monday on their website.

Between September and November, the temperature was 2.4 degrees Celsius higher than usual in Tokyo, 2.9 more in the central city of Nagoya and 1.2 warmer in northern Sapporo city.

The weather has delayed the country's autumn foliage season -- when tourists flock to see leaves turn vibrant reds and yellows.

In Kyoto, a railway company known for running trains through forests of illuminated maple trees at night has extended its schedule because leaf colors are not changing as quickly as usual.

According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, the best time to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo is around December 5 and in Osaka on December 9, both later than usual.

Japan recorded its joint-hottest summer on record this year as extreme heatwaves, which scientists say are fueled by climate change, engulfed many parts of the world.

The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was absent for the longest recorded period this year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October.

Climate scientists forecast that 2024 will almost certainly be the hottest year on record.

Australia has meanwhile sweltered through its warmest spring on record, the country's weather bureau said Sunday, with temperatures 2.08 degrees Celsius above the average.

Australia's previous hottest spring -- running between September and November in the Southern Hemisphere -- was recorded in 2020.