Several Saudi publishers are participating in the London Book Fair, which started on Tuesday and concludes Thursday. The fair represents one of the world’s biggest book markets.
The Saudi participation is part of a continuous support program for the Saudi publishing sector aimed at highlighting local production and marketing it globally. The program is provided by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission.
The role of the Commission is to regulate and manage the literature, publishing, and translation sectors in the Kingdom.
Several publishing houses, including “Kalimat,” “Tashkeel,” “Mozon,” “Athar,” “Rashm,” and “Jusoor” are participating in the fair.
They are showcasing a range of events in the three sectors, highlighting the Commission's efforts to support and develop literary activity and enhance the presence of Saudi publishers in international forums.
The Commission’s pavilion at the fair exhibited the Book Fairs Initiative, the Literary Partner Initiative, the Literary Agent Initiative, and the Publishing Houses Leadership Initiative, to introduce their strategic importance and active role in advancing the sector in the Kingdom.
It also hosted several meetings and sessions for the “Translation Initiative” and displayed translated books.
Kalimat is showcasing several publications from Saudi Arabian authors including Saad Al Bazaei's important study “The Jewish Component.”
Kalimat is also featuring novels from Youssef Al-Muhaimeed, Abdullah Thabit, Amima Al-Khamis, Hussain Al-Dawood, Tarek Al-Jarrad, Yehya Emkassam, Amal Al-Farhan and Mohammed Al-Arady.
Mulhah Abdullah, a dean of Saudi theater, is participating in the London Book Fair with her encyclopedic book, “Arabia: Identity, Place, and People.”
The aim of the Commission in participating in this event is to strengthen the Kingdom’s international presence and support Saudi literary agencies and publishers.
This comes in recognition of the importance of communication between the local and international publishing sectors and the resulting development and connection of works. It also aims to gain insight into global experiences, build practical relationships, and promote local production and services in the international arena.
