The exhibition brought together writers, thinkers, and book lovers from within the Kingdom and abroad

The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 concluded its activities last night at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University after 10 days filled with cultural, intellectual, and knowledge activities. The event featured participation from over 2,000 local and international publishing houses and agencies from more than 25 countries, along with several Saudi, Arab, and international cultural institutions and organizations.

The exhibition illuminated the capital’s sky with poetry and knowledge, making it a vast space for creativity and dialogue

The exhibition created cultural movement throughout the past ten days, illuminating the capital’s sky with thought, culture, poetry, and knowledge, transforming it into a spacious arena for thinking, creativity, and dialogue, confirming its status as the largest cultural event in the Kingdom and one of the most prominent book fairs in the Arab world.

The exhibition serves as a primary platform for publishers and for intellectual and cultural exchange, bringing together writers, thinkers, knowledge creators, and book lovers from within the Kingdom and abroad. Uzbekistan was the guest of honor and offered visitors a distinctive cultural experience that reflected its literary and intellectual achievements, authentic cultural heritage, history, and diverse arts.

The success of this edition was not merely an organizational achievement, but rather the result of a national vision that made culture a tributary of development and a pillar of Saudi human identity. Efforts continue to develop the publishing system, support authors and publishing houses, and enhance Saudi presence in international forums. “The book remains at the heart of human consciousness, and the Riyadh Book Fair is living proof that the future belongs to culture and creativity.”

Visitors enjoyed a diverse cultural program that included over 200 events ranging from seminars, dialogue sessions, lectures, poetry evenings, and workshops, with the participation of elite writers, thinkers, and intellectuals from the Kingdom, the region, and the world.

The exhibition featured distinguished participation from the Theater and Performing Arts Authority, which presented theatrical performances in the outdoor theater and a joint performance piece with an Uzbek troupe, alongside daily performances of local performing arts.

The exhibition included several zones and events that reinforced its status as a comprehensive meeting point for knowledge and creativity, most notably the Business Zone which returned this year with broader participation from over 30 leading entities, confirming its role in enabling the publishing industry and enhancing its partnerships locally and internationally through more than 45 diverse activities.

Riyadh International Book Fair 2025

The Riyadh International Book Fair is an annual cultural event established in the 1970s that has grown into one of the largest and most prominent book fairs in the Middle East. The 2025 edition will continue its tradition of bringing together hundreds of local and international publishers, authors, and intellectuals to promote literacy and cultural exchange. It serves as a major platform for showcasing Saudi and Arab literature while fostering a love of reading across all segments of society.

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) is the largest women’s university in the world, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1970 as the first College of Education for women in the country and was renamed in honor of Princess Nourah in 2008. The university represents a significant institution dedicated to the higher education and empowerment of women in the Kingdom.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country renowned for its position on the historic Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected the East and West for centuries. It is famed for its stunning Islamic architecture, including the Registan square in Samarkand and the ancient city of Khiva, which reflect its history as a major center of scholarship and power under empires like the Timurid.

Theater and Performing Arts Authority

The Theater and Performing Arts Authority is a government entity in Saudi Arabia established in 2020 as part of the country’s Vision 2030 initiative. Its primary role is to develop and regulate the nation’s growing theater and performing arts sector, fostering cultural enrichment and creating new professional opportunities in the arts. This represents a significant shift, as public theatrical performances were previously restricted in the kingdom for decades.

Business Zone

A Business Zone is a designated urban area primarily focused on commercial and economic activities, rather than a historical or cultural landmark. These zones are typically modern developments, planned to concentrate offices, retail, and services to foster economic growth. Their history is generally tied to contemporary urban planning and the economic evolution of a city or region.