“The ranking of the Riyadh Book Fair reflects the volume of attention and care the fair is receiving from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah,” said the fair’s supervisor general, Abdullah Al-Jaser, deputy minister of culture and information.

The next book fair is to be held on March 1-10, said Al-Jaser, adding that the guest of honor will be India, which will participate in the fair’s associated cultural program, exhibition and workshops.

Al-Jaser said the Ministry of Culture and Information works hard annually to ensure the book fair is successful on the local, regional and international levels. He further highlighted the event’s achievements last year as regards organization, high sales, huge turnout, which included hundreds of Saudi, Arab and international publishers and publishing houses.

He added that the next year’s fair would include a number of new cultural activities and an increase in child- and family-friendly activities in the children's wing.