Packed with poets, page-turners, and publishing pros, the fair looks set to be a bestseller.
Bookworms, this one’s for you. The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 is back, bringing together local and international talent from the publishing industry. Taking place from 2 to 11 October in King Saud University, the event includes conferences, workshops, guest speakers and, of course, books.
Riyadh International Book Fair takes place each year in the capital and is organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission. The event is one of the region’s largest book festivals, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in the publishing industry.
Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 is a platform for companies, institutions and individuals to connect with professionals and the public. Plus, the festival aims to promote reading in the kingdom, as part of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince’s Saudi Vision 2030.
Conferences and workshops
Across the fair, guests can join cultural programs, which include poetry evenings and book readings. If you’re eager to develop new literary skills, experts are available to assist you. Visitors can sign up for workshops covering art, reading, writing, publishing, bookmaking and translation. Plus, if you are travelling with children, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is a dedicated Children’s Pavilion.
This year, the Riyadh International Book Fair will also feature an Arabic Calligraphy Competition. Taking place from 2 to 4 October at The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Centre for Arabic Calligraphy, it will feature nine calligraphers from the region and across the world. These calligraphers will judge participants in three categories—the Thuluth, Ruq’ah, and Jali Diwani scripts—awarding winners in each.
Riyadh International Book Fair Awards
The event also hosts awards that recognise excellence in the publishing industry. The categories include Publishing Excellence Award, Children’s Publishing Excellence Award, and Distinguished Publishing Award with Translation. Plus, the winners receive a prize of SAR 50,000 for each award.
So many books, conferences and workshops, so little time.
GO: Visit https://bookfairs.moc.gov.sa for more information.