RIYADH: Hundreds of schoolchildren in Riyadh have made history after reaffirming that books still matter in an age of disruptive technologies and fleeting distractions.

The Saudi capital recently witnessed the simultaneous launch of 500 works authored by students of Alif International School, a collective record for the highest number of student-authored books launched in a single, collaborative effort.

The achievement has earned the students a place in the Guinness World Records, a milestone marked by an impressive ceremony titled Book Bloom 500.

“This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson,” said Pravin Patel, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records.

He praised the Book Bloom 500 initiative and said the successful project fulfilled all the specifications required for the record.

Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony, which was attended by prominent members of the Saudi and expatriate communities, along with parents and teachers.

Addressing the gathering, the former editor-in-chief of Arab News congratulated the young authors and expressed the hope that many of them would grow into great writers contributing meaningfully to shaping the world and advancing the betterment of humanity.

He also reminded parents and teachers of their vital responsibility in nurturing children to achieve holistic development.

The little authors were delighted as dignitaries unveiled their books. Their radiant smiles reflected the joy and pride of setting a world record through their journey as published authors.

Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, the chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, praised the teamwork that had made the historic accomplishment possible.

Luqman Ahmed, the CEO of the Alif Group of Schools, talked about the year-long efforts undertaken by school authorities, teachers, and parents to realize the feat.

He said: “Our dedicated teamwork has been instrumental in nurturing new writers and authors, and followed relentless efforts to instill a reading habit among all 1,300 students of the school without exception, eventually guiding more than one-third of them into the world of authorship.”

He added that this had resulted in the publication of books across diverse subjects in English, Arabic, and five other languages.

Mohammed Mustafa, Alif International School’s principal, highlighted the school’s project of introducing students to the world of reading while pursuing its mission of transforming education into a joyful journey with the motto “A School With a Smile.”

He said: “We introduced the Read and Rejoice program as part of co-curricular activities to bring students closer to stories and help them embrace books as companions in sharpening their thinking, enriching their language, calming their minds, and enhancing their emotional intelligence.”

The ceremony also included captivating performances from young children.