Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The UAE pavilion at Riyadh International Book Fair has been well received by visitors. The pavilion, which is hosting an array of activities organized by 18 Emirati cultural institutions, has been drawing large crowds since the opening of the book fair on Wednesday night.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the guest of honor at the book fair.

Set to welcome visitors until March 24, the Emirati pavilion at the fair features a dynamic blend of traditional and contemporary design and highlights the strong cultural ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Over the course of the fair, the pavilion will play host to a series of poetry evenings organized by the Emirates Writers Union, the Poetry Academy and the Sharjah Book Authority. The program will also include two seminars on March 21 and March 23 on the future of the publishing industry in the UAE thanks to the Emirates Publishers Association.

Additionally, the Sharjah Book Authority will hold a symposium on March 18 featuring Emirati authors Abdulla Al-Nuami and Fathiya Al-Nimr.

The pavilion has a truly diverse offering in store to suit the tastes of visitors of all age groups. Children in particular will have no shortage of engaging activities to participate in, including interactive competitions and educational programs presented by Nat Geo Kids and Majid TV channels as well as complimentary gifts for the fair's younger visitors.

The Emirates Youth Council will also run activities until March 19, including children's storytelling sessions and drawing workshops. TV program "Iftah Ya Simsim" will also hold storytelling sessions complete with visitors’ favorite characters who are set to make appearances during the last five days of the show.

In the days to come, the UAE pavilion will also host book signings for a number books, including "Adam" by Shaima Al Hosani, "Ladies of Evangeline The Upheaval" by Alia Al-Hazami, "Salvaged" by Omar Al-Owais and "The Life and Times of a Ruler" by Murad Abdulla Al-Balushi.

During the first three days of the fair, the pavilion saw many a book signing take place, for literary works such as "Calling All Hearts" by Dr. Hamad Al-Hammadi, "I Do Not Want This Tale to End" by Sultan Faisal, "Dengwan" by Abdulla Al-Nuaimi as well as Dr. Fatima Al Braiki's guide to creative writing.

The Riyadh International Book Fair is one of the largest cultural events in the Kingdom and remains among the most well attended among book exhibitions across the region, with the participation of over 500 Arab and international publishing houses and over 80 cultural events. Each year, the fair hosts a guest country of honor to present its literary history and publications to visitors as well as to participate in a wide range of cultural events, seminars and poetry readings organized by the exhibition.