450 publishers to take part in Riyadh book show 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Ministry of Culture and Information organizes a book show next Tuesday at Riyadh International Exhibition Center (RIEC). The show, under the motto Life is Reading, will last for 10 days.

Commenting on the event, Minister of Information Abdul Aziz Khoja expressed thanks and appreciator to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his patronage of the show.

He said this patronage remains a source of pride given to the culture in this country and a symbol of appreciation to think tanks and intellectuals. The patronage denotes support to culture and books, in particular.

The minister expressed pleasure at the decision to honor Sweden at the show, allowing visitors to become acquainted with Swedish culture and its scientific and technical achievements.

The ministry's undersecretary for cultural affairs and supervisor general of the show, Nasir Hujailan, said the show would offer an opportunity for dialogue between intellectuals and visitors.

Some 450 publishing houses from different parts of the world would take part in the show, Hujailan said, adding that the Ministry of Information will award prizes to 10 outstanding books on different subjects. He said the ministry would initiate new cultural events and it would also launch a virtual book show on the Internet.