Translation from various international languages was a strategic goal of King Abdulaziz Public Library (KAPL) in Riyadh. Dozens of important books were translated into various scientific, literary, historical, and cultural fields, including children's books.
The library has translated more than 100 books, with a focus on works by Western scholars, orientalists, and travelers about Saudi Arabia and its founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud. It has also emphasized the translation of books related to history, Islamic civilization, and library science.
On International Translation Day, celebrated on September 30 each year, the library highlights the most prominent books that it has translated since the launch of its scientific publishing and translation program.
These translations have been from a range of international languages, including English, French, German, Korean, Hindi, Urdu, Czech, Turkish, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.
The International Federation of Translators, established in 1953, has been celebrating International Translation Day since 1991 to promote collaboration among translators worldwide and to underscore the importance of translation and translators' work. The United Nations General Assembly recognized and celebrated this day for the first time on September 30, 2017.
