RIYADH – The Riyadh International Book Fair (RIBF) launched on Tuesday under the banner “The Book: Vault of Civilization” (translated) at a ceremony led by the Ministry of Culture and Information. The 11-day book fair consists of one of the largest and most anticipated cultural events in the capital, and is held at the Riyadh International Conventions and Exhibition Center (RICEC), where over 18,000 square meters have been allocated to RIBF grounds. The theme of this year: “The Book: Vault of Civilization,” aims to drive interest in reading among younger generations, also encouraging research and publishing among academics and literary figures in the Kingdom. The theme is in line with the Kingdom's goals in creating a knowledge-based, diversified economy. This year, Spain has been selected as the guest of honor, allocating a wing to the European nation, highlighting business and cultural ties between Spain and the Kingdom. At the ceremony, Ambassador Pablo Bravo Lozano expressed his enthusiasm for Spain's participation in the fair, and has emphasized the historical and cultural ties between both nations. In addition to Spain, more than 32 countries are participating in the fair, with over 900 publishing houses from around the world featured at the event. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja expressed the importance of the book as a vault of civilization, allowing its readers a wealth of knowledge gained past and present. This theme, he said, was selected to encourage a culture of reading, writing and publishing in the Kingdom, skills which will hold the most merit in the Kingdom's rapidly diversifying economy. Khoja has surveyed and personally inspected the fair grounds, where he met with representatives of the 14 organizing bodies responsible for the event. “2014 will be a great year for publishing,” said Saeed, a visitor at the event and avid book collector. “Saudi Arabia's history is full of literary masterpieces, and I'm excited to see what I can find.” The Riyadh International Book Fair will go on until 13 March, and student attendance is scheduled from 9 March on to the end of the fair. The fair expects to see a larger turnout than last year's, when over one million visitors and customers buying from the hundreds of vendors available on site.
