Children's books and multimedia educational programs are in focus at the 5th annual Jeddah International Book Fair, which opens here at 5 p.m. today. Governor of Makkah region Prince Abdul-Majeed Bin Abdul-Aziz will officially open the fair at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Four hundred national and overseas publishers are showcasing their books and publications at the fair, being organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. in cooperation with the Deanship of Library Affairs of King Abdul Aziz University (KAAU). More than 400 major local and international publishers have on display their latest products ranging from religious books to science, literature and academic books as well as children's books and multimedia educational programs, long distance learning and compact discs. Another feature this year is a section dedicated to non-Arabic books. "This event is considered one of the most important shows taking place in the Gulf," in view of its impressive track record and the vast number of participants," a spokesman for the organizers told Arab News yesterday. Forty percent of exhibitors are from within the Kingdom and the rest have come from Germany, Turkey, Iran, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and United Arab Emirates.
