MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION IYAD BIN AMIN MADANI HOSTED HERE TODAY A LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF THE GUESTS OF THE 22ND NATIONAL HERITAGE AND CULTURE FESTIVAL. FOLLOWING THE EVENT, THE MINISTER MADE A PRESS STATEMENT IN WHICH HE SAID TODAY'S GATHERING IS TO HONOR THE GUESTS OF THE FESTIVAL WHICH IS ONE OF FEW CULTURAL OCCASIONS IN THE ARAB AND ISLAMIC WORLD. THE MINISTER HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FESTIVAL AS A VENUE FOR MEETING AND EXCHANGING VIEWS. THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION AND A NUMBER OF WRITERS AND INTELLECTUALS.