Riyadh International Book Fair to open on March 2

Riyadh International Book Fair to open on March 2
Taken from Arab News http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article19660.ece

By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

Published: Feb 20, 2010 12:38 AM Updated: Feb 20, 2010 12:38 AM

JEDDAH: More than 1,000 Saudi and foreign publishing houses and companies are expected to take part in the Riyadh International Book Fair which opens on March 2.

“We want to make this annual exhibition a Saudi cultural festival,” said Abdullah Al-Jasser, deputy minister of culture and information for media affairs and supervisor of the exhibition.

Senegal is being honored at the event, he said, adding that the African country will hold a variety of cultural programs including seminars, literary events and folklore presentations, highlighting its contributions to Arab and Islamic civilization. A number of Senegalese books in Arabic will also be displayed in its pavilion.

Meanwhile, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja disclosed the possibility of holding the book show in Jeddah once it is held in Riyadh. The minister did not say when this would take place. Khoja made this statement after opening an arts show exhibiting the work of Moroccan artist Muhammad Al-Shahdi.

He said there would be a seminar on the role of cultural forums in promoting the Kingdom’s cultural development. Other seminars will focus on medical doctors who are interested in literature; the problems faced by Saudi authors in terms of publication and reading; and issues related to translation of books. “There will be another interesting program on the national dialogue forum’s role in promoting moderation and tolerance.”

Al-Jasser commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for establishing the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center (KANDC) to develop a culture of dialogue among Saudis. “The basis of this culture is moderation, critical thinking and respecting the views of others. KANDC will hold a workshop to deepen the culture of dialogue among Saudis,” he said.

The book fair will also witness, for the first time, a dialogue between Khoja and male and female writers. “The minister is expected to honor some of the pioneers of cultural forums in the country,” Al-Jasser said. He said the exhibition’s cultural programs were finalized with the support of 60 researchers including women from different parts of the Kingdom.