Bahrain International Book Fair opens

Manama, Mar. 28 (BNA): The 18th edition of the Bahrain International Book Fair has opened today under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa. HRH the Premier delegated Deputy Prime Minister His Highness Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa to open the exhibition which hosts Saudi Arabia as Guest of Honour.  The Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is organizing the fair which coincides with the Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018. A total of 400 local, Arab and international publishing houses, cultural and intellectual institutions representing 26 countries are taking part in the 2018 edition.  The Deputy Premier was received on arrival at the venue of the book fair by BACA President Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa and other senior state officials. He conveyed greetings from HRH the Premier to the 2018 Book Fair organisers and participants, wishing them success in promoting culture and knowledge, which represent the cornerstone of development and progress.  He underlined the Government’s keenness on supporting culture as part of the national wide-ranging development. He stressed the importance of hosting specialized cultural exhibitions and book fairs to promote intellectual exchanges with other countries in the world. He visited the Saudi pavilion where he met head of the Saudi delegation Minister of State and cabinet member Dr. Essam bin Sa’ad bin Said, on behalf of Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad. He wrote a statement in the visitors’ book, welcoming Saudi Arabia as Guest of Honour of the Bahrain International Book Fair-2018, hailing deep-rooted fraternal relations binding the two countries. He hailed Saudi remarkable strides in all fields, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, wishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia further progress and prosperity. BACA President Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa extended deepest thanks to HRH the Premier for patronizing the show, hailing keenness on promoting Bahrain’s standing on regional and international cultural maps.