RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative by Saudi Aramco, inaugurated the sixth edition of the Children’s Book Fair, taking place from July 20 to 25, 2026.
Syria serves as the guest of honor for the sixth edition. Mohsen Mahbash, Charge d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy to Saudi Arabia, opened the Syrian pavilion, which showcases more than 250 titles focusing on children’s literature.
The Syrian Embassy highlighted in a released statement that Syria’s participation as guest of honor in this edition acknowledges the distinguished status of Syrian children’s literature and its pioneering role in founding and advancing modern Arab children’s literature, while also enriching Arab cultural output for children, who represent the future generation.
The Syrian pavilion highlights successful examples of collaboration between Syrian and Saudi publishers in the production of children’s books and stories, which reflects the depth of the cultural partnership between the two nations. It also contributes to fostering intellectual and social cohesion through children’s literature, recognizing it as a vital instrument for shaping consciousness and embedding shared values.
A number of Syrian writers are featured in the talk sessions and cultural programs accompanying the exhibition, alongside exhibits of their books, many of which have been brought out by Saudi publishers and cultural bodies. This highlights the support and reception Syrian children’s literature has garnered, notably over the past few years.
Ghadeer Yamani, acting head of Ithra Library, said the fair is part of the center’s broader mission to promote reading.
It is one of its ongoing initiatives to instill a love of reading in children while offering high-quality content geared toward today’s youth, she added.
She also explained that the fair creates an interactive cultural space that helps sharpen children’s abilities and expand their creative and cognitive horizons, noting its role in connecting young readers with different cultures through specialized events and strong Arab and global participation.
With 52 local and international children’s book publishers taking part, the fair is a full-fledged cultural hub for children aged 4 to 14. It seeks to foster a love of reading and provide an interactive experience combining books and creative programming through more than 23 different activities.
Over the years, the fair has attracted participants from European, Arab, and Asian countries. It highlights Arab identity and multilingualism, and offers programs aimed at boosting children’s critical and creative skills, book signings, and face-to-face sessions with top children’s authors.
The annual event, organized by the center, brings together leading publishers and authors worldwide, providing a key opportunity to promote reading from childhood through creative initiatives.
The fair comes with a rich lineup of 23 events, including workshops, interactive storytelling, talks with top children’s literature specialists, discussion panels, and four book signing stations for younger readers and teens.
Over its previous editions, the fair has attracted participants from a number of prominent countries, underscoring its international stature, namely: Belgium in 2021, Sweden in 2022, France in 2023, Egypt in 2024, South Korea in 2025, and Syria in the current edition of 2026.
This article was originally published in Arriyadhiyah.
