JEDDAH: More than 50,000 visitors a day, publishers from 40 countries and 180,000 titles on offer — the numbers tell the remarkable success story for the 4th Jeddah International Book Fair.
Jordan, Sudan and Yemen were among dozens of Arab and Islamic countries taking part in the 10-day fair, which ends on Saturday.
Under the theme “Tolerance and Peace,” the event highlighted heritage and tradition, and featured more than 60 workshops in fine arts, photography and calligraphy, as well as seminars, lectures, and plays focusing on social and cultural topics.
Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Kinany, general supervisor at the Ministry of Information for Cultural Affairs, said that visitors to the fair were able to explore “a variety of subjects catering to different tastes and segments of society.”
Highlights of the fair included a play under the theme “A Thousand and One Half Arabian Nights” and a symposium examining “Saudi Arabia through the eyes of female emigrants.”
The fair also featured a discussion on “Books as an awareness vessel” moderated by Hana Al-Majlad.
Visitors to the event also saw a photography exhibition focusing on biodiversity in the US, while folklore shows were presented by Jordanian, Sudanese, Yemeni and Pakistani communities in the Kingdom.
Jeddah International Book Fair’s tale of success
Jeddah International Book Fair’s tale of success
- The fair also featured a discussion on “Books as an awareness vessel” moderated by Hana Al-Majlad
Saudi inventor wins two gold medals at Mideast International Invention Fair
- Khudry was recognized for inventing a device designed to filter materials and recycle used liquids
- The innovation aims to improve efficiency in liquid purification and reuse
RIYADH: Saudi inventor Duaa Nizar Khudry won two gold medals at the 16th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME), held in Kuwait from February 8 to 11, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Khudry was recognized for inventing a device designed to filter materials and recycle used liquids, an innovation aimed at improving efficiency in liquid purification and reuse. The technology has potential applications in environmental protection, industrial processing, and water conservation, particularly in regions where sustainable resource management is critical.
A member of the Mawhiba Alumni Program, Khudry represented Saudi Arabia with the support and nomination of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), which was participating in the fair for the third time.
She received her first gold medal from the fair’s organizers and was also awarded the IFIA Best Invention Award by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations, recognizing her innovation as one of the most outstanding entries in the exhibition.
The IIFME, organized annually by the Kuwait Science Club since its launch in 2007, is regarded as one of the region’s largest specialized invention exhibitions and a major platform for inventors to present their work to international audiences.
As a student, Khudry won first place nationwide at the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibdaa) in 2013 for the same recycling device, competing against tens of thousands of students across the Kingdom. She later obtained an official patent for the invention in 2024, strengthening its scientific and commercial potential.
She studied chemistry and is currently pursuing graduate studies in materials science and engineering under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Her research focuses on environmental sustainability, advanced materials, and liquid purification technologies.
