Riyadh: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 is solidifying its status as a prominent cultural destination, attracting a growing number of international visitors from countries including the UK, India, France, Belgium, Japan, China, the US, and Korea.
According to Saudi Press Agency, attendees from abroad expressed enthusiasm for the fair's cultural and intellectual diversity, reflecting the dynamic development of the Saudi cultural scene and rivaling major global exhibitions.
Visitors from the UK and France conveyed their admiration for the contemporary Saudi novel, praising its intellectual boldness and human depth. High-quality translations were noted as key to allowing foreign readers access to Saudi society's interior narratives.
Indian visitors showed strong interest in Saudi books on Islamic thought and the humanities, appreciating their profound philosophical and humanistic insights.
Visitors from Belgium praised Saudi literature's successful ability to blend authenticity and modernity, while attendees from Japan and China showed particular interest in scientific and technical books, especially those on artificial intelligence and renewable energy. They noted that the exhibition represents the Kingdom's remarkable progress in knowledge development. Chinese visitors further stressed the importance of mutual translations between Chinese and Arabic to deepen cultural understanding.
Meanwhile, US visitors described the fair as a comprehensive cultural experience that reflects the Kingdom's broader cultural transformation, a change visible not just in economic projects but also through literature and thought.
Korean visitors appreciated the availability of original Arabic books at reasonable prices, viewing the fair as a unique opportunity to engage directly with Arab culture through its primary sources.