Riyadh Book Fair opens tomorrow under King's patronage

Riyadh, March 02, SPA -- Under the patronage of the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, "Riyadh International
Book Fair" will be opened tomorrow with Brazil as the guest of Honor
at the new venue on King Abdullah Road.

Dr. Abdulaziz Khojah, the Minister of Culture and Information said
in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the generous royal
concern for staging Book Fair is the outcome of the strong belief of
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz that books serve an important mission in
promoting the role of culture in peoples' lives.

He noted that Brazil will be the guest of honor of the book fair
this year through a special Pavilion that will highlight the varied
Brazilian cultural aspects. There will be a number of lectures and
seminars at this special pavilion in this context.

The Minister of Culture and Information said that the Book Fair this
year will honor surviving pioneers of Saudi History for their
life-time achievements. It will also include a cultural program
relating to book writing experiences, biographies and some other
cultural issues.


--SPA