The Saudi cultural scene is witnessing a new beginning with the opening of the Jeddah International Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission under the slogan “Jeddah Reads.” This year, the fair is more than just a platform for displaying and selling books; it is a comprehensive intellectual and cultural forum aimed at promoting a culture of reading and dialogue through a rich cultural program and a series of specialized workshops that attract visitors from all walks of life, from emerging writers to avid readers.
Historical background and cultural context
The Jeddah International Book Fair is one of the Kingdom's most prominent annual cultural events, reflecting the significant development of the cultural sector within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. Since its inception, the fair has sought to solidify Jeddah's position as a cultural gateway on the Red Sea, drawing on its rich history as a crossroads of civilizations and trade. With each new edition, the fair expands its programs and activities, becoming a leading destination for publishers, authors, and intellectuals both locally and regionally, contributing to the enrichment of intellectual discourse and supporting the publishing industry in the Kingdom.
Specialized workshops for developing creative skills
This year's exhibition program is distinguished by its focus on interactive and practical aspects, with workshops witnessing remarkable participation. One of the main workshops addressed the foundations of "developing critical thinking skills" and effective dialogue techniques—essential skills for building a knowledge-based society capable of analysis and constructive discussion. Another workshop highlighted "the aesthetics of employing local dialects in contemporary writing," a topic that touches upon cultural identity and opens new horizons for writers to present more authentic and accessible literary texts, while maintaining the necessary artistic and linguistic balance.
The workshops did not overlook the technical aspect of writing, as sessions were dedicated to discussing the “foundations of writing effective dialogue” in literary and dramatic texts, and how dialogue can be a major driver of events, revealing the dimensions of the characters and deepening the dramatic conflict, thus raising the quality of the literary work and making it more influential on the recipient.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The impact of the Jeddah International Book Fair extends far beyond its ten days. Locally, the fair provides a valuable opportunity for Saudi publishers to showcase their publications and for young writers to connect with audiences and critics. It also plays a pivotal role in encouraging new generations to read and discover new worlds through books. Regionally and internationally, the fair reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading cultural center in the region and opens channels for communication and cultural exchange with Arab and international publishing houses, contributing to the translation of Saudi literature into other languages and the dissemination of local culture to a global audience.
Building narrative worlds and creative writing
The workshops also addressed advanced topics such as “Constructing Imaginary Worlds in Narrative Fiction,” particularly in the increasingly popular genre of science fiction. These sessions emphasized the importance of in-depth reading within this literary form and how to construct a complete world with its own laws, characters, and conflicts, while striking a delicate balance between engaging description and a flowing narrative rhythm to ensure the text is coherent and compelling for the reader.
The Jeddah Book Fair 2025 welcomes its visitors at its headquarters in “Jeddah Superdome”, and over ten days offers a comprehensive cultural experience that reflects the intellectual and cognitive vitality that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing.
