RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 begins on Thursday featuring 2,000 local and international publishing houses from more than 25 countries.

The fair will host an array of distinguished authors and intellectuals, solidifying its status as a key cultural platform in the Arab world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the event will take place until Oct. 11 at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

This year Uzbekistan is the guest of honor at the fair, reflecting the country’s strong cultural ties with Saudi Arabia.

As the largest cultural event in the region, the fair will have over 200 events across the main program, and a dedicated children’s zone with activities tailored to various age groups.

The business zone returns this year to support the publishing industry and strengthen partnerships. It will bring together literary agencies, provide services to publishers, and feature pavilions for government, financial, and entrepreneurial entities.

The zone will also host dialogue sessions and workshops on entrepreneurship, copyright, and licensing in the book industry.