Saudi Gazette report

SEOUL — Saudi Arabia inaugurated its pavilion at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024 being held from 26 to 30 June at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Complex south of the South Korean capital. The Kingdom is participating in the event as the guest of honor.

The Saudi pavilion reflects the country's cultural richness in its various aspects through an integrated experience led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, one of the Ministry of Culture’s bodies, and the participation of the Heritage Commission, Fashion Commission, Film Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, King Abdulaziz Foundation For Research And Archives (DARAH), King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahad National Library, Publishing Society, and the Ministry of Investment.

The Commission will present cultural programs with the participation of an elite group of writers, who will hold dialogue sessions and seminars, most notably on the history and antiquities of the Kingdom, Saudi women writers, the contribution of language in transmitting cultural values, traditions, societal norms and identity formation, as well as the commonalities of Korean and Arabic languages.

The program also includes seminars on Arab poetry, the Saudi novel, the Saudi role in teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers in Korea, and the merging of Korean and Arabic singing.

The “Book of Commentaries in the Korean Language” was also launched, which was in cooperation between the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. King Salman Global Academy Prize for Arabic Language will also launch a project for the Arabic language in Korea.

Through its participation in the Seoul International Book Fair, Saudi Arabia aims to consolidate the bonds of partnership with Korea, enhance dialogue between cultures and civilizations, and enrich areas of joint cooperation in literature, culture and arts, as Saudi will present the true and positive image of the hospitable Saudi people, known for their pride in their culture, history and heritage.

Saudi Arabia's presence as the guest of honor in a number of international book fairs reflects its stature and its role in enriching the global cultural scene. It previously participated in the 2023 Seoul International Book Fair. Last February, it was a guest of honor at the New Delhi International Book Fair. Saudi Arabia was also honored at the Beijing International Book Fair, which took place from June 19 to 23.

The Seoul International Book Fair 2024 is one of the most famous book fairs in Asia and the world. Organized by the Korean Publishing Culture Association, it was launched locally in 1954, then developed into an international fair in 1995. This year about 90 publishing institutions and companies from 19 countries are participating.