China guest of honor at Jeddah International Book Fair

Visitors are seen at last year's Jeddah Book Fair. (SPA file photo)

JEDDAH: The third Jeddah International Book Fair hits town this December at Obhur’s waterfront.
More than 1,000 publishing houses from throughout the region will set up shop for the 10 festive days from Dec. 14 to Dec. 24.
There will be 187 book signings ,and readers will have the chance to meet Saudi Arabia’s flourishing literary talent.
There will be a special evening to celebrate the life and work of the national poet, Ibrahim Al-Khafaji, who died on Nov. 24 at the age of 93. Al-Khafaji was the writer of the Saudi national anthem and many other famous songs.
This year’s floor area for the fair increased by 30 percent compared to 2016, according to organizers.
The main tent, hosting writers, publishers and performers, is 27,000 sq m, with an additional 25,000 sq m on the outside periphery facing the Obhur creek and filled with food trucks, temporary restaurants and cafes.
This year the fair will host performances from five countries. Chinese artists have prepared special shows to go with poetry recitals and folklore theatrical performances.
The fair aims to introduce new writers to publishers, and to spread reading culture to visitors.
This year’s book fair also introduces the COLORS project, which caters to artists, photographers and painters and sheds light on contemporary visual art.
COLORS will showcase works that embraces graphic design, Arabic calligraphy and photography to cater to all artistic tastes.