The 22nd edition of the Text Reading Forum (1447 AH/2026) will begin on April 7, 2026, and will continue for three days in Jeddah under the theme: “The Horizons of Saudi Literature in Light of Saudi Vision 2030.”

The forum will be held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, with the participation of a large number of writers, critics, and researchers. It is organized by the Jeddah Literary Society.

The forum will honor short-story writer Mohammed Ali Quds as its guest of honor, in recognition of his long literary career and contributions to short-story writing. Quds is considered one of the pioneers of this art in Saudi Arabia. He previously served for many years as Secretary of the Jeddah Literary Club and also worked as a cultural and media consultant. He later became a member of the society’s board of directors after its transformation. He has also had a strong presence in radio and television, in addition to publishing several collections of short stories, including A Weak Point, Small Concerns, The Coming Seasons of the Sun, What Was Reported About Salem, and The Thirst of the Roots.

The forum will also present different critical perspectives through 24 peer-reviewed research papers for discussion, with the participation of intellectuals from inside and outside Saudi Arabia. Their contributions will include both research papers and discussions during the sessions. This highlights the importance of Saudi literature and its rich production as one of the key parts of the Arab literary scene.

The opening session will include a speech by the President of the Jeddah Literary Society and a speech on behalf of the supporters, delivered by Dr. Abdullah Dahlan. This will be followed by a documentary film and a speech by the honored guest, Mohammed Ali Quds.

A special honoring session titled “Mohammed Ali Quds: Guardian of the Story and Keeper of Details” will then be held. Speakers will include Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Qahtani, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabeel, Mohammed Al-Qashami, and Adnan Saeedi, and the session will be moderated by writer and short-story author Khalid Al-Yousef.

The forum will also include five critical and research sessions covering several topics, including:

• From literary storytelling to national storytelling

• Saudi literature and the future of translation

• The impact of Vision 2030 on the Saudi novel

• New literary experiences in Saudi Arabia

• Vision 2030 and changes in meaning in the Saudi novel

• Place and setting in the Saudi novel

• Saudi environmental literature and achieving the goals of Vision 2030