Riyadh International Book Fair "Cultural Chapters," under the supervision of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, kicks off Thursday and will continue until Oct. 8.
The Fair is a major cultural event in the Arab scene, as it is one of the most important Arab book fairs in terms of the number of visitors, sales volume, and the diversity of its cultural programs, as well as in terms of the participation of the most prominent Arab, regional and international publishing houses.
The Saudi Ministry of Culture named Tunisia as the guest of honor, noting that its selection comes within the relations that bind the Saudi and the Tunisian people as part of the joint efforts of the two countries to enhance cooperation in the cultural field.
It also brings together literature, publishing, and translation officials from local and international institutions and companies with readers and those interested in books and publications.
The event has a program that includes several qualitative cultural events, dialogue platforms, interactive lectures, poetry evenings, and cultural and artistic seminars.
It also hosts several arts, reading, writing, and publishing seminars, workshops on bookmaking and translation, activities for children, and other accompanying programs.
The most prominent Arab and international publishing houses and Arab and international writers, authors, and intellectuals participate in the exhibition.
During ten days, the exhibition is set to celebrate the Tunisian cultural and artistic presence through many literary events with the participation of several Tunisian writers, authors, and poets.
Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs Hayat Guermazi confirmed that the Riyadh International Book Fair provides an opportunity to enhance cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Guermazi told Asharq Al-Awsat that there would be 17 Tunisian publishers, adding that Tunisian cultural and artistic presence at the event is an outstanding opportunity for the intellectuals of the two countries to discuss humanitarian issues through literature and thought.
The Minister explained that her country's participation would include seminars and meetings on Tunisian literature, translation, the experience of Tunisian theater, criticism, enlightenment thought, and other topics.
In addition, there will be various workshops and literary and poetry events with the participation of Tunisian intellectuals and writers with a special booth dedicated to introducing the digital cultural economy.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Tunisian cinema will celebrate its centenary and Zied Gharsa will perform at a concert.
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.
The Saudi ambassador to Tunis, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Sager, said that choosing Tunisia as a guest of honor for the Fair confirms the country's cultural position.
The diplomat told Asharq Al-Awsat that Tunisia is an addition to the exhibition through the prepared program, the participating delegation, and the diverse content to include all aspects of cultural activity.
