RIYADH: Visitors to the Riyadh Book Fair have been critical of the exhibition’s location. They say that it is difficult to find with scarcely a signpost indicating the whereabouts and, once inside, they are complaining about the lack of diversity.
Librarian Abdulrahman Al-Hadeeb, who came with his children, was caustic about the lack of signs, both within and without. “I went around the same building for a long time. If I had not asked the security guards the way, I would not have been able to come to the fair,” he said.
“Even when you go inside, all that you see are small shops that sell national products such as dairy products, cleaning materials, kitchen utensils with no signs about the book fair, which we found when we were guided by a guard to a huge tent outside,” he added.
“It is a major requirement for any event that people be able to find the place with ease. It was not so in this case. I was not the only person wandering about. The number of people asking the guards for directions is an indication of the importance of signs,” Al-Hadeeb said.
Many titles from various publishing houses on a wide variety of topics were on display. Many, however, said that the titles were not diverse enough and did not cater to all interests.
Peter Kotrozo, an expatriate working in King Saud University, said, “The initiative is great and the event is well organized. But the event seems to be targeting an Arabic-speaking audience, so I couldn’t really get involved with many things. A small international section would have been welcomed by many expats who live in Riyadh.”
Large numbers of books in foreign languages were on view, but they mainly focused on teaching languages and Islamic themes. Many famous foreign literary works that were translated into Arabic were displayed.
Young men also said that there were few books that appeal to them. “You find books in almost all sections that concern parents, religion, girls’ novels, but nothing for us,” said Mubarak Mohamed, a high school student. You will not find books on games or those about the latest innovations in technology. “What’s funny is that there are no books about famous football players even though it was touted that sports would be strongly represented,” he added.
Many also looked askance at the quality of service at the fair. “Though there are many computers to search for books, the service is woefully inadequate,” Mona Al-Ghamdi, a teacher, said. “The computer helps you find out about the availability of a book when you enter its name. It will then show you the name of the publishing house, which you have to find yourself,” she said.
“There is no map of the place showing directions to different areas. You need help to find the children’s corner, even the stand of Brazil, the guest of honor or a women’s mosque,” she added.
“In addition I believe organizers didn’t think about visitors’ comfort, as there are no seats; either you read a book while standing or buy it and find its content when you are at home,” Al-Ghamdi said.
Books prices too came under fire. “The prices are beyond our expectations,” said Fatima Al-Omar, a housewife. “There are great topics but most of them are expensive. A children’s book costs about SR30 and I have 3 kids. And my elder daughter buys her own set of novels, and I end up spending a fortune,” she said.
Though there were detractors, there were many who praised the fair and its organizers. “This year we learn about Saudi literature as well as Saudi products,” Umm Ahmad said, adding that it was a very clever step to combine both.
Umm Ahmad, holding her shopping bags filled with national products, said this year’s fair had books that focused more on women. “Cook books from all over the world, books by famous chefs as well as books on the family along with many famous novels are featured in the fair,” she added.
