The 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair will be held from September 26 to October 5 at King Suoud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As one of the most influential book fairs in the Arab countries with the highest book sales, this book fair, with the theme of "Reading in Riyadh", has attracted more than 2,000 publishers from more than 30 countries, making it the largest book fair to date. .
Domestic publishing institutions such as Wuzhou Communication Press and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press jointly participated in the exhibition, carrying more than 1,000 Chinese-themed books and cultural creative products in Arabic, English and Chinese, with carefully planned exhibition areas and rich and colorful literature Exchange activities have added a strong Chinese flavor to this Riyadh International Book Fair.
The book feast begins, and the exhibition hall is full of highlights
At this book fair, the China Exhibition Hall has carefully planned three thematic exhibition areas: a Chinese-themed boutique book exhibition area, a Chinese-Arab mutually translated book exhibition area, and a cultural and creative experience area with Chinese characteristics. Among them, the China-themed boutique book exhibition area attracted a large number of readers to stop and browse; the Chinese-Arab translation book exhibition area brought together Chinese and Arabic works by well-known Chinese and Arab writers such as Xu Zechen, Liu Zhenyun, and Saudi Arabian Abdul Hull. edition, comprehensively displaying the outstanding achievements of China-Arab book exchanges and cooperation, and deepening the spiritual communication and emotional resonance between the two peoples through literary bridges; in the cultural and creative experience area with Chinese characteristics, readers from all over the world are treated to a series of books rich in Chinese cultural characteristics The cultural and creative products were deeply attracted, such as antique-themed postcards, Chinese city series handbook, etc. People gathered in front of the booth to get Chinese-themed seals and feel the unique charm of Chinese culture.
In the Chinese exhibition hall, these exquisite books attracted a large number of local readers to stop and browse and buy. From time to time, they asked the staff about the Chinese book themes they were interested in, as well as related teaching materials and ways to learn Chinese. Hala, a middle school student from Riyadh, showed the staff the newly learned Chinese characters on her mobile phone.
As the main institution participating in the exhibition, Guan Hong, deputy general manager of Wuzhou Communication Publishing House, said that Wuzhou has been committed to promoting in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the field of book publishing for many years, using books as the medium to build a cultural exchange and civilization between China and Saudi Arabia. As a bridge of mutual learning, book publishing contributes to the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Arab states.
Literary dialogue deepens cultural exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia
In recent years, cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the field of people-to-people and cultural exchanges has entered a fast lane of development, and exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly close. In addition to bringing a rich variety of books, Chinese exhibitors at this year's book fair also held cultural exchange activities such as the "China-Saudi Arabia Literary Salon" and "Dialogue with Chinese Writer Xu Zechen" to further implement the results of the classic mutual translation plan between China and Saudi Arabia. Promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations between the two sides.
On September 30, a Sino-Saudi literary salon titled “Integration of Contexts and Symphony of Civilizations” concluded successfully at Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia. This event was jointly organized by Wuzhou Media Publishing House, Sinopec Middle East Representative Office, Confucius Institute at Prince Sultan University and Prince Sultan University. It brought together well-known contemporary writers and outstanding scholars from China and Saudi Arabia to trace the historical context of literary exchanges between the two countries. Looking forward to the future of cultural exchanges.
At the event site, Ibrahim Omrath, Saudi Director of the Confucius Institute at Prince Sultan University, said that Prince Sultan University has always been committed to deepening the profound friendship between China and Saudi Arabia and hopes to organize colorful people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The event brings together the power of culture and literature and contributes to mutual understanding and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Liu Yang, deputy general representative of Sinopec Middle East Representative Office, said that Sinopec is fully committed to serving as a connector, practitioner and promoter of China and Saudi Arabia in deepening the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative. He hopes that by organizing various forms of cultural exchange activities, It will further promote the people of the two countries to deepen their understanding and respect of each other's cultures and inject new vitality into the development of bilateral relations.
Mr. Abdulhu Khaler is the first writer in Saudi Arabia and even the Gulf region to win the International Award for Arab Novels. His novel "Herbivore City" was selected for the national translation project between China and Saudi Arabia. As an important guest of this event, he said: "Literary dialogue is a bridge that promotes friendly exchanges between the two countries. The continuous and in-depth development of China-Saudi Arabia friendly relations in recent years has provided us with a broad platform for exchanges."
Xu Zechen, as the representative of Chinese writers in this event, many of his works have been translated into Arabic and published. He said: "Literary works contain powerful cultural power and can transcend national boundaries and arouse common resonance. The dialogue between Chinese and Saudi Arabian writers and Communication will undoubtedly further deepen our understanding and friendship.”
Emira Zaharani, professor of comparative literature at Prince Sultan University, said: “China and Saudi Arabia both have a long literary tradition and rich cultural heritage. Through literary dialogue, we can better understand each other’s culture and enhance friendship. and mutual trust.”
After the event, teachers, students and audiences from Saudi Arabia’s King Suoud University, Princess Noura University and other universities lined up to wait for book signings by Chinese and Saudi authors and scholars. The atmosphere was lively.
On October 1, Wuzhou Communication Publishing House and the Saudi Scientific Research and Knowledge Exchange Center jointly held the "Dialogue with Chinese Novelist Xu Zechen" event. Many well-known scholars, literary critics and writers from universities and research institutions, including King Saud University, King Faisal Islamic Academic Research Center, and Xu Zechen launched an in-depth dialogue and ideological collision between literary creation and contemporary stories. Further deepen the understanding and recognition of Chinese literature among Saudi academic circles.
