RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair is shaping the domestic and regional cultural scene for emerging authors since launching on Sept. 28, with young writers telling Arab News that the event is providing them much-needed exposure.
In Saudi Arabia, book fairs have gained significance as the publishing industry undergoes continuous transformation. The events offer young writers the opportunity to display their skills and publish their novels.
The gatherings have promoted a strong feeling of camaraderie among aspiring authors, while also giving them the chance to make valuable connections with publishers, agents, and readers.
Kendah Jambi, a 23-year-old Saudi writer, told Arab News that despite taking part in other book fairs across the Kingdom, this was her first time at the Riyadh event.
“I think that participating in the Riyadh International Book Fair is important as it helps authors connect with their readers, especially as we really need constructive criticism, as authors and readers really like to see the people behind the books,” she said.
After the success of her first book “Al-Rahala” or “The Voyagers” in English, Jambi published a sequel titled “Al-Moarekh” or “The Historian,” which she is presenting at the fair.
“The Voyagers” tells the story of a group of people who develop their consciousnesses and travel through a multiverse.
Jambi said: “I decided to make my books a trilogy even before taking part in the Riyadh International Book Fair, yet the book fair helped in giving me more exposure and publicity as a writer, and the chance to meet current and prospective readers.”
By creating an environment that fosters learning and crafts, book fairs have become integral to the journey of young authors, providing them with invaluable experiences that shape their writing and career paths.
Malek Al-Saggaf, an 18-year-old writer, joined this year’s fair to showcase his first book, “The Concealed Facets of Us,” where every page is a story of its own.
“Previously, I participated in book fairs locally in Jeddah and Madinah, as well as regionally in Muscat and Cairo,” he said.
Al-Saggaf told Arab News that “The Concealed Facets of Us” is a poetry and self-help book that delves into different topics in life, such as dealing with relationships, friendships, depression and a vast array of emotions.
“I decided to write this book at a young age once I became aware that everybody is either going through something or is healing, so I asked myself how I can help these people.”
He added that the Riyadh event is one of the largest book fairs he has taken part in.
“It has provided me with a great deal of exposure, enough to propel my career as a writer.”
Whether attending panel discussions, taking part in writing workshops, or meeting their literary idols, writers can build passion, motivation and inspiration at the event, empowering them to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the literary scene.
Raghad Abdullah, 22, is a consultant for the Ministry of Culture and the author of a book titled “Baseerah” or “Insight” in English.
“I am not only a writer, but I also assist other aspiring authors to create their own books by guiding them through the process.”
Her book helps readers to collect data from their daily lives and transform the information into tangible processes to aid decision-making.
The cultural impact of the Riyadh International Book Fair on young authors cannot be understated. As they pave their way toward success, such an event serves as a stepping stone to hone their skills and provide them with the opportunities they need to flourish.
The fair is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight until Oct. 7.
Young Saudi authors shine at Riyadh book fair
https://arab.news/j8upe
Young Saudi authors shine at Riyadh book fair
- Event provides new writers exposure to publishers, agents and readers
- Kendah Jambi, a 23-year-old Saudi writer, told Arab News that despite taking part in other book fairs across the Kingdom, this was her first time at the Riyadh event
Saudi House kicks off Davos with push on Vision 2030, AI platform and ‘humanizing’ tourism
- Saudi ministers dominate pre-summit spotlight at Saudi pavilion, touting Vision 2030’s next phase and human capital as key to global edge
- Ministry of Economy and Planning announced the SUSTAIN Platform which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development
DAVOS: For regulars at the World Economic Forum, Monday in Davos is usually a chance to ease into the week, a time to reconnect, plan meetings and prepare for the intense schedule ahead.
This year, Saudi Arabia moved quickly to fill that lull, taking center stage with a packed program of panels ahead of Tuesday’s official opening.
At the Saudi House — the Kingdom’s official pavilion on the Promenade, returning after its debut as a standalone venue at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting — Saudi ministers and global executives set out how the Kingdom sees the next phase of its transformation.
Established by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the venue is pitched as a platform for international thought leaders to tackle the challenges, opportunities and solutions shaping the global economy.
Opening a session on the Kingdom’s role at this year’s Forum and the next phase of Vision 2030 — now in its 10th year and roughly two-thirds complete — Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, said human capital “is the actual driver if you want a competitive, modern economy.”
She described one of the biggest achievements of the past decade as the emergence of a highly qualified cohort of young Saudis who could work anywhere in the world but “choose to come home, choose to build at home and choose to deliver at home,” calling this “the biggest symbol of the success of Vision 2030.”
Who can give you optimum access to opportunities while addressing risks? I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula.
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment
On the same panel, Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan said this success is rooted in a “behavioral change” that has strengthened the Kingdom’s credibility with both international partners and its own citizens.
“Credibility comes from being very pragmatic, making sure that you maintain your fiscal policy discipline, but at the same time refocus your resources where it matters,” he said, warning that “markets will call your bluff if you’re not serious.”
The Saudi House, a cross-ministerial initiative led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, is intended to underscore the Kingdom’s “commitment to global cooperation” by offering “a platform where visionary ideas are shared and shaped,” while showcasing opportunities and lessons from its “unprecedented national transformation.”
Echoing earlier comments to Arab News, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Alibrahim said the Kingdom’s role as an anchor of stability has helped unlock its potential, stressing that while the objective is to decouple from reliance on a single commodity, “2030 is not the finishing line.”
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment, said Saudi Arabia has been able to enable access to opportunities while addressing major risks, arguing that few countries can match the Kingdom’s overall mix.
“No country has all of those to 100 percent,” he said. “But who can give you the mix that gives you optimum access to opportunities while addressing all of those risks?
“I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula and the proof is in the pudding,” noting that local investment has doubled in recent years to reach levels comparable with India and China.
While societal transformation dominated the morning discussions, the afternoon turned to technology, tourism, sport and culture, four strategic sectors expected to spearhead Vision 2030’s next phase.
The Ministry of Economy and Planning used the day to announce the SUSTAIN Platform, due to launch in 2026, which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development.
The ministry said SUSTAIN will translate the Kingdom’s public and private-sector coordination mandate into a practical national tool to help government entities, businesses, investors, academia and civil society identify credible partners, form trusted coalitions and move initiatives “from planning to implementation more efficiently,” addressing a global challenge where fragmented partnerships often slow delivery and blunt impact.
“We are in a moment in time where technology may well impact the face of humanity,” said Dina Powell McCormick, recently appointed president and vice chairman of Meta, welcoming the Kingdom’s “desire” to partner with technology companies and its embrace of innovation.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Alkhateeb, discussing how technology is being deployed in his sector, underlined that “in travel and tourism, people are very important. We learn about other people’s culture through interacting with people. We digitalize the unnecessary and humanize the necessary.”
He added that while technological transformation is a priority, “we don’t want to replace this big workforce with technology. I think we need to protect them in Saudi Arabia, where we’re being a model. I’m an advocate of keeping the people.”
Throughout the week, Saudi House will host more than 20 sessions, including over 10 accredited by the WEF, across six themes: Bold Vision, Insights for Impact, People and Human Capability, Quality of Life, Investment and Collaboration, and Welcoming the World.
The pavilion will also launch “NextOn,” a new series of influential and educational talks featuring leading global voices.
