Public support needed for international book fair
The riyadh International Book Fair, an annual event since 2006, is undoubtedly an important cultural institution for both its practical and symbolic significance. In practical terms, it provides the public with access to a broader variety of titles than is usually available in one place and one time, even nowadays of online book sales and e-readers.
The symbolic significance of the event is arguably even more important. Just as books themselves represent knowledge, an international book fair opens us to the congregation and confluence of ideas, an opportunity for those in the business to network with one another, and a chance for Saudi Arabia to host an internationally recognized intellectual forum attended by many. For both reasons, practical and symbolic, the importance of this event can scarcely be exaggerated. Particularly in an age when, publishing industries are suffering from the intrusion of online sales and digital publishing worldwide, so our International Book Fair is something to be proud of.
It is, therefore, a cause for concern when our public officials don’t appear to understand that. Indeed, the public had protected the sanctity of the event in past years. In 2011, when a ultra conservative group belligerently intruded upon the festival and denounced the content of the books being displayed and sold, and protested the fact that women attended the event as well as men in a mixed environment, these extremists were promptly removed by the police from the location.
There seems to be a common agreement that this event should embody openness, peace and freedom of information. Social and political controversy is simply out of place here. Or is it?
One of the criticisms that preceded the opening of this year’s book fair was the exclusion of Syrian publishers. This was later modified into observations that Syrians would be unlikely to participate in any case, given the civil war in their country. The actual scenario and its causes may be ambiguous. But surely the exclusion of any group is inconsistent with the idea of an international book fair?
Other threats to the sanctity of the fair are smaller and more insidious. The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) announced that it would not be able to reduce prices for vendors, even in light of the importance of this cultural event. And then there were additional fees for installing a barcode system, and a registration system that was not as accessible as it could have been — though some of these measures have since been adjusted in the face of public pressure.
Nevertheless, it all amounts to an attitude toward the book fair that is somehow less than hospitable and supportive — leading us naturally to wonder whether this vital organization will eventually be subject to a ‘death of a thousand cuts’.
That would be almost tragic. The Riyadh International Book Fair represents all that is upstanding, enlightened and cooperative about both commerce and intellectual life in our country. Whether the government ministry is able to substantially subsidize the endeavour, a generally helpful and supportive attitude on the part of our public institutions is surely warranted!
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