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RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 began on Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

More than 2,000 publishing houses from over 25 countries are taking part in the two-week-long event, which is organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission.

The fair serves as a platform for publishers, writers, and cultural institutions to connect with readers and industry professionals.

Abdullatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the commission, said the event “reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to strengthen its cultural leadership regionally and globally, while also contributing to community awareness and economic growth in line with Vision 2030.”

The Saudi Institute of Public Administration has a significant presence at the event, showcasing its range of scientific, legal, and management publications.

This year, Uzbekistan is the fair’s guest of honor. Al-Wasel highlighted the country’s “significant cultural role and strong ties with the Kingdom,” noting that the partnership underscores the event’s contribution to cultural exchange.

Uzbekistan’s pavilion showcases rare manuscripts, literary works, and a cultural program that includes performances and artistic displays. The collaboration also features joint activities with the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, including stage performances and artistic exchanges.

Beyond the international showcases, local creativity is also in the spotlight. One of the standout booths this year is Qessati (My Story), an initiative founded by Saudi entrepreneur Omar Tayeb in March 2024, which creates personalized books by inserting a child’s photograph, name, hobbies and interests into an illustrated story.

“We turn them into a cartoony character inside their very own story,” Tayeb told Arab News. “The idea started when I wrote a story for my daughter, and I saw how much it changed her behavior. That’s when I realized this could be a project for every child, not just my own.”

Qessati has already produced more than 1,000 books in Arabic and English and has expanded across the Gulf and North Africa.

“Our goal is to make learning and reading an enjoyable part of a child’s daily life,” Tayeb said. “By connecting the story with the child’s identity, values, and imagination, we create something that stays with them.”

The booth also features a children’s prayer book designed with illustrated characters to help young readers memorize daily supplications.

In addition to exhibition booths, the fair offers a wide-ranging cultural program, including seminars, lectures, poetry evenings and workshops. An expanded business zone is also part of this year’s edition, aimed at strengthening the publishing sector and facilitating partnerships across the industry.

The fair is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, with Friday opening hours starting at 2 p.m.

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan headed the Kingdom’s delegation in Kuwait at the 124th meeting of the GCC’s Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee.

The ministers looked at topics related to enhancing cooperation among the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, and followed up on developments to achieve this goal.

They also discussed progress made by the Customs Union Authority and the course of its program — which supports the completion of the authority’s requirements — and the periodic report on the implementation of GCC Common Market tracks.