BEIJING — Saudi Arabia concluded its participation as guest of honor in the Beijing International Book Fair, which was held from June 19 to 23. The Kingdom's pavilion was widely visited by the Chinese public. The visitors learned about Saudi culture, arts and heritage through an integrated cultural experience, led by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission; and various other cultural entities that took part including the Heritage Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Fashion Commission, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, the King Abdulaziz Public Library, the Saudi Publishing Association, and the Ministry of Investment. The pavilion also contributed to the development of dialogue between cultures, through a cultural program that included 15 dialogue seminars that evoked the Saudi culture and its impact on Chinese culture, the legacy of Saudi and Chinese novels, the history of civilizations, trade and culture, and the national cultural heritage. In addition, the Saudi-Chinese Linguistic Forum was also held on the sidelines of the event. The Saudi dinner night was held with national dishes, live performances of Arabic calligraphy, sculpture, and handicrafts, as well as an exhibition of books, manuscripts, and artifacts discovered in the Kingdom. There was an accompanying exhibition of traditional costumes and a third exhibition of musical instruments used in Saudi music. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China had a special pavilion at the exhibition, to emphasize the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries. A number of agreements were signed between Saudi publishers and their Chinese counterparts, including an agreement within the Translate initiative to translate books such as "The Forbidden City: Chinese History since the Fifteenth Century" and "Historical Tales of the Great Wall of China". The Beijing International Book Fair is the second-largest book fair in the world, and the most influential exhibition in China and the Asian continent. Organized by the China National Publications Import and Export Group, it was launched in 1986. Meanwhile, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Authority is preparing with the participation of a number of cultural entities to represent Saudi at the Seoul International Book Fair, which will be held from June 26 to 30 in the Korean capital.
