JEDDAH: The 2025 edition of the Jeddah Book Fair concluded on Saturday after 10 days of cultural activities, drawing more than 650,000 visitors and reinforcing its growing role in Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape.

Held from December 11 to 20 under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair featured more than 1,000 publishing houses and cultural agencies from 24 countries, spread across over 400 booths and offering around 195,000 book titles.

The CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, Abdul Latif Al-Wasel, said the event reflected the Kingdom’s evolving cultural vision and marked an important step in the development of the publishing sector and the promotion of intellectual awareness.

This year’s edition saw an expanded programme of more than 176 cultural activities, including seminars, workshops and book signings, catering to a wide range of age groups and interests. 

A dedicated children’s zone attracted strong family attendance, offering educational and interactive experiences aimed at nurturing creativity and learning.

For the first time, the fair also included screenings of Saudi films as part of its cultural programme, linking literature with visual storytelling and highlighting local creative talent.

The event made use of enhanced digital infrastructure, including electronic ticketing and interactive maps, to improve accessibility and the overall visitor experience.

The Jeddah Book Fair forms part of the Saudi Book Fairs Initiative, one of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission’s flagship programmes under its 2020–2025 strategy to support the publishing industry, enrich cultural life and contribute to national economic growth.