RIYADH: The 10-day Riyadh International Book Fair ended on a high note on Saturday with befitting cultural activities capping the cultural event.

A total of 350 young Saudi men and women participated in the preparations and presentation of the book fair held under the auspices of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

“The book fair has been a great success. This early, many visitors are looking forward to the next event,” said Abdulaziz Al-Mugaiteeb, CEO of the organizing firm.

Various groups and individuals contributed to make the cultural event as interesting and exciting as possible. They included the Arabian Society for Culture and the Arts which presented a short film.

A group of Saudi poets, including Dr. Abdullah Sufiani, Musa Aqail, Haifa Al-Jabri, Hassan Al- Rabih, Talal Al-Ruwairqi, Mohammad Al-Atwi, and Hassan Samaili, recited their own poems, attracting many visitors who included poetry enthusiasts.

Visitors listened with admiration, their minds going back to their school days when they merely wanted to pass the subject where they discussed poetry.

“They are truly gifted. I wish their talent would rub off a little bit on me,” said a visitor working at a local bank.

Hasah Al-Qubla, a workshop presenter, expressed satisfaction regarding visitors’ enthusiasm for having attended the book fair. “It’s not farfetched to think that this year’s visitors will again attend the next book fair. This is shown by their excitement in this year’s cultural event,” she said.

She explained that their interest is also due to the systematic procedure at the corridors and the exhibition area.

“There are female volunteers who are ready to help by guiding visitors in the exhibition area. They also take note of the reactions of the guests regarding the book fair,” she said.