The minister also addressed the media. “The popularity of the fair is growing every year and this is why this year the event is different from past sessions. If this proves anything, then it proves the interaction between Saudis and culture of all kinds. Culture is open to all,” he said in a response to a question by Arab News on the fair’s success.
On the subject of mixing of women and men at the exhibition, the minister said: “This is quite normal, similar to mixing in the large markets and malls.”
The culture minister also denied any books had been banned in the exhibition.
“It is my pleasure that visitors, whether they are Saudis or visitors from inside the country or outside, came to visit and participate in the exhibition. I was delighted that everyone from home and abroad came to visit the exhibition and I rejoiced even more to see the joy on the faces of individuals and families,” he added.
On the abundance of local publishing houses, the minister replied: "We can’t prevent any publishing house from participating in the exhibition and the existence of Saudi publishers offering Saudi culture is something very important in the exhibition. Everyone in the exhibition has the chance to showcase their countries’ culture and we are here to show our Saudi culture through publishing.”
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information Nasser Al-Hejailan, who is also general supervisor of the fair, said there was a total of 512,000 visitors on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Book sales over the same period reached SR1.33 million.
Many book deals were signed between authors and publishing houses and the exhibition also saw writers holding book signings.
Professor Fahd Amir Ahmadi held a signing for his new book “Around the World.”
Talking to Arab News about her new book “Marital relations,” Dr. Afaf Zaqzouq, director of the Elaph Center for Social and Marital Counseling in Jeddah, said: “My book gives the readers precise advice on how to control their relationships with spouses; I wrote this book based on the long experience I have in marital relationships.”
Writer and journalist Turki Al-Dakhil described the book fair as distinct in terms of organization. He said this event reaffirmed the fact the cultural scene in Saudi Arabia is distinguished, particularly in terms of the local interest in reading.
He was participating in the exhibition as a publisher at publishing houses Madarek and Mesbar. He explained the two houses offer more than 150 titles, including about 40 new ones.
Al-Dhakil explained he has a new book called “Al-Gosaibi Said to Me,” which documents the life of the late Al-Gosaibi and many features of his life, along with many of his interviews.
Another of his books, “The Woman’s Guide to the Heart of Man,” published by Madarek House for SR10, is completely blank, except for a message on the last page by the author that says:  “Our fingerprint says what is louder than words, this is the philosophy of plain writing.”