Cultural standard is the measure of progress: Prince Khaled

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, inaugurated the fourth edition of the Jeddah International Book Fair on Wednesday evening.

Jeddah Governor and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Festival Prince Mishal Bin Majed, Minister of Media Awwad Al-Awwad and other senior officials also attended the ceremony.

On arrival at the venue at the Events Land in South Obhur, Prince Khaled cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the 11-day festival of book lovers.

The emir honored Awwad Al-Awwad and a number of prominent Saudi cultural figures including prominent media persons Dr. Hussein Bin Muhammad Najjar, Abdullah Bin Hamza Rajeh and Nawal Bint Ahmad Baksh, writer Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Qadi, and Khaled Bin Hamad Al-Malik, editor in chief of Al-Jazirah newspaper.

After the inauguration ceremony, Prince Khaled and other guests toured the pavilions of the fair, sprawling over an area of 25,000 square meters.

Speaking to reporters, Prince Khaled stressed that cultural progress in the Kingdom reflects the progress and advancement achieved by Saudis in intellectual field. “There is no development and progress without knowledge and culture. The measurement of the advancement of nations and their progress depend on their cultural standard,” the emir said and admired school students for their wonderful models exhibited at the fair. He wished them a bright future.

About 400 publishing houses and 2,000 exhibitors from within the Kingdom and 40 foreign countries are participating in the fair, which will continue till Jan. 5.

There are 180,000 titles of books, catering to the tastes of various segments of the society, on display at the fair, which showcases the cultural depth of Saudi Arabia. Arrangements are made for readers to get copies of books signed from more than 200 authors at the specially designed podiums in the festival ground. There are 20 committees and 200 officials involved in organizing the great festival of book lovers.

More than 50 diverse activities and over 60 workshops, lectures, theatrical performances, as well as screening of 55 documentary films will be held on the sidelines of the festival.