Saudi Arabia As Guest Of Honour At Damascus International Book Fair 2026: Cultural Exchange And Literary Showcase

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has wrapped up the Kingdom’s Guest of Honor presence at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, held in Damascus from 6 to 16 February. The Saudi pavilion drew notable visitor numbers, with readers and cultural followers engaging closely with its varied activities.

Organised under the commission’s supervision, the pavilion highlighted initiatives in literature, publishing and translation through a full cultural programme. Events included panel sessions, literary discussions and poetry evenings, with participation from well-known Saudi writers and intellectuals, which helped increase interaction with visitors across different age groups.

The pavilion’s content received positive feedback from attendees, who noted the diversity of books and events. Programmes were designed to reflect the vibrancy of the Kingdom’s literary movement and the broader cultural scene, while also presenting recent projects that support authors, translators and publishers within Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif Abdulaziz Al-Wasel explained that the Guest of Honor role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026, led by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to cultural partnership and mutual respect with Syria and other Arab countries.

Dr. Abdullatif Abdulaziz Al-Wasel noted that participation aligns with the National Culture Strategy, a main pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. The commission aims to encourage constructive dialogue between societies, support knowledge and expertise exchange, and strengthen the Kingdom’s active contribution within Arab and international cultural forums.

This edition of Damascus International Book Fair is described as an important cultural stop, reinforcing the role of books as tools for thought, platforms for dialogue and starting points for broader cultural journeys. It reflects current Arab cultural aspirations toward greater openness and awareness, with events running daily between 6 and 16 February, from 14:16 GMT to 17:16 local time.

With inputs from SPA