The 32nd Doha International Book Fair, held from June 12-21 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), is celebrating Saudi culture, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the guest of honor for this year.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency , the CEO of the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, appreciated the invitation of Qatar's Ministry of Culture to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be the guest of honor for this edition of the Doha International Book Fair. He pointed to the continuous bilateral cooperation in service of culture, heritage, arts, and publishing, with book fairs being one form of this cooperation.
Alwan said that the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission encouraged Saudi publishing houses to participate in the Doha International Book Fair, with 25 Saudi publishing houses taking part this year, whilst Qatari publishing houses are also keen on participating in Saudi book fairs, including the Riyadh International Book Fair, and the book fairs of Jeddah, the Eastern Province, and Medina.
He explained that the Saudi pavilion offers glimpses of Saudi Arabia's culture, be it literature, arts, heritage, fashion, as well as other forms of Saudi culture from ancient times. The pavilion exhibits historical artifacts and original manuscripts, in addition to the publications of the Saudi Ministry of Culture.
The CEO of the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission emphasized the great attention the commission pays to the publishing sector, particularly digital publishing, where it has created a digital publishing program that supports and encourages the digitalization of books, benefiting independent publishers as well as Saudi publishing houses, where the commission is covering the costs of converting paper books into digital ones that are compatible with e-reading devices and global digital book platforms.
He also noted the commission's eagerness to enrich digital content in the Arabic language and to increase its dissemination, as well as reach society's various segments and groups; especially people with reading difficulties and residents of areas where bookstores are rare to find, and people with difficulties getting hold of books in hard copies generally.
Alwan also highlighted the support the commission provides Saudi publishers to improve their skills and provide them with platforms to promote their works.
Source: Qatar News Agency