Kuwait: The 48th edition of Kuwait International Book Fair was launched today under the slogan "Capital of Culture, Homeland of the Books," with the Sultanate of Oman being the guest of honour for this year's edition. The fair, which runs during 19-29 November, is being held at the International Fairs Ground in the Mishref area.
Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, stated that Kuwait's hosting of Oman as the guest of honour at the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair is a significant appreciation of the cultural, artistic, literary, intellectual, and scientific creativity in the Sultanate of Oman, which is witnessing great progress.
He affirmed that this hosting is an opportunity to introduce Omani culture on the Arab level.
He added that the State of Kuwait has a great merit for Arab culture, as Kuwaiti publications span a long period across various specializations and have a foundational role in contemporary Arab culture, including literature, theater, poetry, arts, and various fields of knowledge through peer-reviewed journals in different scientific areas.
He explained that the civilizational and cultural depth of the State of Kuwait continues its production, as seen today at Kuwait International Book Fair and reflected in the pavilions showcasing contemporary Kuwaiti cultural vitality across various fields.
Dr. Abdullah affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman has a deep experience in caring for cultural and civilizational identity, pointing out that this exhibition represents an Omani-Kuwaiti convergence in the aspect of civilizational identity.
He pointed out that the cultural program associated with Oman's participation in Kuwait International Book Fair is rich and reflects the deep connection between Oman and Kuwait in many cultural aspects.
He noted that many Omani writers and intellectuals lived in Kuwait and transferred Kuwaiti cultural expertise to Oman, and that what was published in Kuwait of books, cultural, literary, and artistic production has had a significant impact on contemporary Omani and Arab culture in general.
For his part, Dr. Saleh Amer Al Kharousi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Kuwait, pointed out that this event is of great importance as it coincides with the selection of Kuwait as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media, reflecting its interest in the cultural aspect.
On his turn, Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, stated that Oman's participation in Kuwait International Book Fair coincides with the selection of Kuwait as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media. The participation came following an invitation extended to Oman to be the guest of honor at the fair, reflecting its culture, thought, and history for those interested in Kuwait, he pointed out.
He added that the Ministry, through this participation, was keen to present everything related to ancient Omani-Kuwaiti relations through works, manuscripts, and seminars throughout the fair period, aligning with the Ministry's vision regarding the cultural strategy of "Oman Vision 2040."
It is worth noting that the Sultanate of Oman's pavilion at the fair includes participation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the National Records and Archives Authority, The Cultural Club, Bait Al Zubair Foundation, Omani Society for Writers and Literati and Oman Memory Center, in addition several private libraries and publishing houses.
