The Kuwait International Book Fair 2024 kicked off on Wednesday

The Kuwait International Book Fair 2024 commenced on Wednesday, showcasing diverse literary works, cultural events, and global publishers under one roof.

on Nov 22, 2024

The 47th edition of the Kuwait International Book Fair started on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, under the auspices of Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. This significant cultural event is expected to draw over 500 publishing houses from various countries worldwide.

The theme for this year's fair, “The World in a Book," emphasizes how books contribute to developing and preserving culture. The event will feature numerous cultural activities designed to engage visitors of all ages, especially young people.

There will be three primary cultural platforms at the fair:

Cultural Corridor: Introduced last year, this segment is centered on youth with activities related to cinema, drama, and poetry.

Cultural Cafe: A venue for events in collaboration with NGOs and governmental organizations, which will host a ceremony honoring Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghunaim for his significant impact on Kuwaiti culture.

Author’s Corner: This new initiative offers aspiring writers the opportunity to interact with authors and gain insights into the publishing process in Kuwait, including information on legal issues concerning authors' rights.

Moreover, the Children’s Culture Pavilion will provide activities for younger guests during morning and evening sessions. Over 90 cultural activities are scheduled, including tributes to notable Kuwaiti and Arab cultural figures.

Jordan will be the guest of honor this year, and several lectures will be held at the Cultural Corridor. These discussions will address various subjects such as the relationship between Jordan and Kuwait, the Jordanian art scene, the safeguarding of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and creative industries.

The fair will showcase contributions from 31 countries—19 from the Arab world and 12 from other nations. In total, 544 publishing houses will be represented, with 400 having a direct presence and an additional 160 represented by agents. The event will occupy three halls at the Kuwait International Fairground in Mishref, incorporating booths from Arab and Gulf countries, Kuwaiti publishers, and Jordan, the honored guest.

Attendees can look forward to over 243,000 books on display, including 14,630 new titles. More than 47,000 children's books will be available, featuring 1,929 new releases. For those interested in purchasing, a 25% discount will be applied to all books, along with digital resources such as automated information centers, interactive displays, and QR codes to assist in navigating the event.