Minister highlights Kuwait’s cultural leadership • Exhibition showcases over 270,000 book titles
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, inaugurated the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair on Wednesday on behalf of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The minister highlighted the event’s status as one of Kuwait’s most prominent cultural gatherings and a leading international platform in the publishing sector, noting that this year’s edition features 33 countries, 433 pavilions, and around 611 publishers and exhibitors.
Minister Al-Mutairi said the increase in participating countries from 30 to 33 reflects the fair’s growing international stature. He added that the exhibition showcases more than 270,000 book titles, up by 35,000 compared to last year, underscoring strong interest from intellectuals and publishing houses worldwide. He praised the selection of the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honor, describing it as a testament to the deep cultural ties between the two nations and Oman’s rich heritage, which adds value to efforts promoting Gulf and Arab cultural exchange. The minister also highlighted the fair’s alignment with Kuwait’s designation as Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025, reflecting the country’s longstanding role as a cultural and media hub in the region.
The minister pointed to the fair’s diverse accompanying activities, including the Cultural Hall, Cultural Café, and Children’s Pavilion, which provide platforms for discussions, workshops, and seminars while enabling authors, thinkers, and publishers to engage with the public. He praised the collaboration between public and private sectors and civil society, alongside strong participation from publishing houses, as a reflection of shared commitment to advancing Kuwait’s cultural movement. Emphasizing youth engagement, Minister Al-Mutairi noted that over 72 percent of Kuwait’s population is under the age of 30, highlighting the importance of empowering young people to contribute to cultural activities and showcasing their creativity.
Oman’s Minister of Information, Abdullah Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Harrasi, expressed gratitude to Kuwait for hosting Oman as Guest of Honor, noting that the invitation recognizes Oman’s literary, artistic, intellectual, and scientific contributions. He said Oman’s participation underscores its cultural presence across the Arab world and reflects Kuwait’s long-standing role in fostering modern Arab culture, from literature and theater to poetry and research.
During a tour of the fair, Minister Al-Mutairi and the Omani delegation visited national, Arab, and international pavilions, observing new publications spanning literature, science, economics, and politics. They commended the creativity of young Kuwaiti writers and artists and the emphasis on research related to national and Arab identity, including publications of historical manuscripts and modern works in architecture, visual arts, literature, folk traditions, and music.
The 48th Kuwait International Book Fair, running until November 29, features a rich cultural program through the Cultural Pavilion, Cultural Café, and other interactive events. The opening day saw significant turnout from families, school students, teachers, artists, writers, and intellectuals, with special attention to children, teenagers, and individuals with disabilities. Exhibition halls were named after prominent Kuwaiti literary figures, including Abdulrazzaq Al-Baseer (Hall 5), Ismail Fahd Ismail (Hall 6), and Abdulaziz Hussein (Hall 7).
KUNA pavilion at the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair has attracted significant interest from visitors since its opening on Wednesday. KUNA is participating with a collection of publications that reflect the agency’s efforts in developing media content and promoting culture and knowledge within the community. The pavilion features specialized magazines and various publications that highlight KUNA’s role in supporting professional journalism and showcasing national issues. Among the books on display are Kuwait in Memory of the Days, A Simplified Linguistic Guide for Media Professionals, Kuwait: A Constitutional State, Kuwait: Capital of Islamic Culture 2016, and the magazines KUNA Junior and TEK KUNA.
The Kuwait News Agency pavilion, in Hall 7 (booth 37) offers visitors the opportunity to explore the content of these publications and learn about the agency’s programs aimed at developing children’s media literacy, in addition to its ongoing efforts to enhance media work and keep pace with the evolving digital landscape. The 48th Kuwait International Book Fair, held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, continues until November 29, coinciding with Kuwait as 2025 Capital of Arab Culture and Media.
